fully

Sunday, September 17, 2023 (10:26 a.m.)

Blessed God,

I’m bringing You a spirit of sadness. Downheartedness. Discouragement. Is it mine? Or the world’s?

Thank You Father that I know I am to “rejoice and be glad” (Psalm 118:24b). And at the very same, I want to come before You honestly. Openly. Willingly. Not perfunctorily.

No! I want to fully esteem and revere You. Yes! Thank You God. You take what I have to offer and change it to what You want it to be.

Thank You Lord. Yes. Thank You.

I want to be fully here. Fully Yours. Fully esteeming and revering You. Completely. Entirely. Wholly. Totally.

It’s taken me these past six hours to be willing to sit here with You. To be able to ♪enter Your gates with thanksgiving in my heart… enter Your courts with praise… say “this is the day that the Lord has made I will rejoice for You have made me glad♪

YOU make me glad! I don’t make myself glad. You remind me of the reasons to smile. The importance of standing on and staying my mind on the Truth and promises of Your Word.

Thank You that You do Dearest God. All I did 

(11:02 a.m.)

Oh! Isn’t this just perfectly YOU?

Checking my notes from our morning’s online church service. Wanting to find the reference to being still before You.

Perfect that the sermon’s title was “Finishing Strong” in the “Stay the Course” series. God You are SO good!

I barely have words Dearest Lord. There I was. Trying to think my way into praising You. Then all I did was confess. Wholehearted truth.

The very next thing I know I’m reading the lyrics of a song [Defender] I’d never heard before. ♪And all I did was praise All I did was worship All I did was bow down, oh All I did was stay still♪

You are so perfect God. Thank You that because You are, I don’t have to be.

Thinking I was going to be directed to Psalm 46:10a, I was ready. “Be still, and know that I am God!” Oh, but no!

It’s reference is Exodus 14:14. New Life Version. “The Lord will fight for you. All you have to do is keep still.”

Yes! Thank You. I will!

Your work in me brings about another song. ♪Here I Am To Worship Here I am to bow down Here I am to say that You’re my God You’re altogether lovely Altogether worthy Altogether wonderful to me♪

Thank You that You are Blessed God. ♪Light of the world, You stepped down into darkness Opened my eyes, let me see Beauty that made this heart adore You Hope of a life spent with You And here I am…♪

Yes Father. Here I am. Fully! Asking (Matthew 7:7) that You use me this day [which You have made (Psalm 118:24a)]. Exactly as You alone know is best. Looking for and listening to the sure words of hope and direction You have provided for us.

Illustrated Bible Handbook says this of the section that houses 2 Peter 1:19, “Chapter 1:12-21. God’s Sure Word …Peter views the Scriptures as ‘more certain’ than experience (19). The phrase ‘prophetic word’ (‘word of the prophets’) is an expression used to indicate the Scriptures as a whole. Paying attention to that Word will provide light and guidance in the present dark world (19). In Greek and Roman times the phrase ‘morning star’ was used of royal and divine persons. Here it refers to Jesus at His return. Peter stresses the importance of continuing to trust the Scriptures. God’s Word is not of human origin. It is from God, and its writers were ‘carried along’ by the Holy Spirit (21).”

Thank You that It is Dearest God!

“All this helps us know that what the early preachers said was true. You [all believers everywhere] will do well to listen to what they have said. Their words are as lights that shine in a dark place [like my heart or mind or soul at times]. Listen until you understand what they have said. Then it will be like the morning light which takes away the darkness. And the Morning Star (Christ) will rise to shine in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19 New Life Version).

Yes. Yes. Yes, Dearest Lord! Do all You must in, with, by, through and for me that I will come to fully esteem and revere You as You would have me (Psalm 33:8). I love, need, trust and want You. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(772 words ~ 12:08 p.m.)

 

curiosity

 Saturday, September 16, 2023 (3:23 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

Thank You for Your presence. Thank You 

(3:53 a.m.)

… for curiosity.

Mm. Yes. Curiosity.

(4:58 a.m.)

Over an hour spent reading about being curious. How glad I am to have You lead and guide us Dear Lord.

With that gladness comes singing. ♪Holy Spirit, You are welcome here…♪ Followed immediately by smile after smile.

Lord, thank You that we have Your Word on which to stand and stay our minds. The Truth and promises of Your Word beckon us. Praise You God.

Mm. Yes! Psalm 34:8. The Message. “Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see - how good GOD is. Blessed are you who run to Him.”

Oh most Dear and blessed God, how gratefully I thank You. You teach us. You lead us.

Following thought after thought, here I am in Ephesians. The apostle Paul’s letter to the believers in Ephesus. Written to strengthen their relationships. With You. And others.

Led here because of the importance of speaking the Truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) I want to learn more. Thank You God that even here I find my curiosity growing.

What would it be like to live in unity? Ministering to other people. Living as children of Your light.

What an incredible calling. Father, thank You for inviting us to You.

The Message tells us “God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love - like Christ in everything” (Ephesians 4:15a). And goes further.

“We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love” (15b-16).

Another curious question forms. How is this even possible?

Thank You that I can trust You to provide answers as You know is best. When Your time is right.

In the meantime I get to continue learning more of Your Truth. Choosing and using my words to be good and helpful. Encouraging to those who hear them (v. 29).

Continuing to the end of this chapter, I want very much to “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you” (31-32).

How perfect for me to come across a much simpler reminding phrase in this morning’s readings. “Be curious, not furious.” Yes, please. Teach me Father.

I love, need, trust and want You as Lord of my life. Use me as You know is best. Rejoicing. Being glad (Psalm 118:24). Loving You with all my heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30). And my neighbor as myself (31).

Thank You Father. Praise You. Amen.

(490 words ~ 6:30 a.m.)

Forgive!

 Friday, September 15, 2023 (6:18 a.m.)

Forgive me Father,

I’ve been reluctant. Resistant. Refusing. Rebelling. Not the best way to end yesterday. Nor begin today.

Perfect song to wake up with though. Actually had to giggle a bit. ♪Fool♪ That would be me!

Allowing a slight to burrow in to a hurt. And holding onto that hurt over everything else. Almost like a game. Who will cave first?

Forgive me God. You HAVE taught me better than this. The easy route is to wall off. Block out.

Do in, with, by, though and for me Lord all that I am completely unwilling to do myself. Forgive.

There it is. I’ve known for almost a day that all I have to do is that. Just forgive.

And therein restarts the struggle. There’s a part of me that really wants to just let it go. It was so minor. An absolute slight. And I’ve continued adding to it ever since.

Withdraw. Turn away. Be polite. Not raise a voice. But still not forgive. Excuse. Or overlook.

Yet I keep coming back to You. Asking, seeking, knocking (Matthew 7:7) for Your forgiveness. ♪Your forgiveness Is like sweet, sweet honey On my lips♪

(7:15 a.m.)

Finally! After this song [♪Fool♪]. And that [♪Holy Water♪]. Looking here. Searching there. Reading in Psalms (51). Romans (2:4). 1 John 1:9. Here’s Mark 11:25.

Father, I cannot circumvent [bypass, get around, evade, avoid] Your will. Nor am I able to manufacture any degree of goodness on my own.

Thank You God that Your will is so much greater than my won’t! When I am not able, You are!

Easy-to-Read Version. “When you are praying and you remember that you are angry with another person about something, forgive that person. Forgive them so that your Father in heaven will also forgive your sins.”

Taking this Truth over to The Life Recovery Bible comment. “11:20-25 God wants us to pray for His will to be done in our life as much as He wants us to pray for fruitfulness in His Kingdom work.”

Thank You Father for the smile that comes as I continue reading. “It is God’s will, however, to remove mountains of resistance [thank You Lord!] or denial from our life. God has the power to do miracles - but not if we doubt Him.”

Yes Father! It wasn’t You I doubted. It was me. I knew I needed to trust You to do in, with, by, through and for me all that I could not on my own. Wondering if I couldn’t or wouldn’t, I lay myself before You Lord.

“If we want God to work a miracle of healing in our life, we must pray and believe that He will. We need to admit our helplessness and put our life into God’s hands. He will then walk with us as we face each new step in recovery.”

Interesting, God. Here’s another song. Thank You for the ways You provide.

♪God Will Make A Way Where there seems to be no way He works in ways we cannot see He will make a way for me He will be my guide Hold me closely to His side With love and strength for each new day He will make a way♪

Thank You that You do Dearest God! Whether I couldn’t, or wouldn’t forgive, You made the way. Laying aside the slight that led to the grudge, my heart is free to praise You.

Jesus speaking [in Names of God Bible]. “That’s why I tell you to have faith that you have already received whatever you pray for, and it will be yours. Whenever you pray, forgive anything you have against anyone. Then your Father in heaven will forgive your failures” (Mark 11:24-25).

Father, thank You for doing that which I am unable. Opening and changing my heart. Breathing forgiveness in where I refused it. Empowering and enabling me to love as You would have me love.

You. With all of my heart, soul, mind and strength. My neighbor as myself (Mark 12:30-31). Do all You must to this end.

I love, need, trust and want You Lord. Forgive and use me as only You can. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(716 words ~ 8:42 a.m.)

Worship!

 Thursday, September 14, 2023 (5:13 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

Thank You. You are so good. Great. Glorious. Gracious.

(6:05 a.m.)

Thank You Father for the freedom to explore. Seek. Find. Read. Worship. Mm, yes. Worship! You.

Take me by Your hand. And lead me into Your Word this morning.

So far I’ve visited Psalm 139:14 (New Living Translation). “Thank You for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous - how well I know it.” Yes. Agreed!

It’s in the New King James Version that I find all 4G’s in one section. Psalm 145:5-8.

“I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, And on Your wondrous works. Men shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts, And I will declare Your greatness. They shall utter the memory of Your great goodness. And sing of Your righteousness. The LORD is gracious and full of compassion, Slow to anger and great in mercy.”

Blessed Father God, we rely on the Truth and promises we find here in Your Word. Empower and enable us in living them.

Just as I begin scratching the surface of this section, here I read it again. This time in The Voice. Thank You God for such ready access to the same Truth found using different words.

“Your majesty and glorious splendor have captivated me; I will meditate on Your wonders, sing songs of Your worth. We confess - there is nothing greater than You, God, nothing mightier than Your awesome works. I will tell of Your greatness as long as I have breath. The news of Your rich goodness is no secret - Your people love to recall it and sing songs of joy to celebrate Your righteousness. The eternal is gracious. He shows mercy to His people. For Him anger does not come easily, but faithful love does - and it is rich and abundant.”

(6:36 a.m.)

Father, thank You! Just as I think I’m heading off in one direction [worshiping You in spirit and in Truth (John 4:24)] You point me to another. Praise You Lord.

The very last sentence of verse eight. “For Him [that’s You!] anger does not come easily…” My first thought when reading this was, “Wow! What must that be like?!”

And then I realized! You’ve been doing this with me. Slowing anger WAY down for me. Thank You Father!

“… but faithful love does - and it is rich and abundant.” Let me think about this Lord. Your rich, abundant, faithful love comes easily. Yes! Sign me up for learning this.

Easy-to-Read Version is exactly what it says. Easy to read. And begin to grasp.

“Your majesty and glory are wonderful. I will tell about Your miracles [how You have completely changed my life!]. People will tell about the amazing things You do and I will tell everyone how great You are [provide the words and opportunity I ask (Matthew 7:7)]. They will talk about Your goodness and sing about Your justice [Yes please!]. The LORD is kind [gracious] and merciful, patient and full of love.”

Oh most dear and awesome God, I love You! And want desperately to worship You “in Spirit and in Truth” (John 4:24).

This is where I confess to not knowing how. Or even what it looks like. And this is when trust comes along. Reminding me that “I can do all things through Him [Christ] who gives me power [strength]” (Philippians 4:13 Complete Jewish Bible).

Do all You must Blessed God. In. With. By. Through. And for me. That I will come to worship You as directed by Your Holy Spirit.

(7:44 a.m.)

Phone interruption. With You still in my heart.

My soul. My mind. My strength.

Back over to Your Truth. Reading again in the Contemporary English Version. John 4. Verses 23-26.

Jesus speaking to the Samaritan woman at the well. Who didn’t yet recognize Him as the Messiah she was waiting for.

And here my time of worship with You just keeps expanding. Going ever deeper into the Truth You have for us!

Jesus speaking, “But a time is coming, and it is already Here! Even now the true worshipers are being led by the Spirit to worship the Father according to the truth. These are the ones the Father is seeking to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship God must be led by the Spirit to worship Him according to the Truth” (vs. 23-24).

“The woman said, ‘I know that the Messiah will come. He is the one we call Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.’ ‘I am that one,’ Jesus told her, ‘and I am speaking to you now’” (25-26).

How blessed and privileged we are to have You speak to us now Dearest Jesus! Unqualified, with questionable pasts. We are free to approach You. Accepted. Not rejected, condemned, or shunned.

It is the strength of Your mighty power (Ephesians 6:10) on which we are to rely. Trusting Your Spirit to keep us alert and persistent in our prayers (v.18).

Yes Father. Teach me to live each day completely dependent on Your gloriousness. Your greatness. Your goodness. And Your graciousness.

I love You! I need, trust and want You as absolute Lord of my life. Thank You. Praise You. Use me. Amen.

(897 words ~ 8:05 a.m.)