God at work

 Sunday, October 8, 2023 (6:16 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

Thank You.

You work in, with, by, through and for us. You take the smallest things we offer You and make them profound! Thank You Lord.

Considering Your works, I come to Philippians 2:13. Easy-to-Read Version speaks loudly to me. Beginning with its title for verses 12-18. Be the People God Wants You to Be

Yes Dearest God. Thank You for making us into the people You want us to be. Obedient (12). Uncomplaining. Non-arguing (14). Blameless. Pure. Like shining lights in a dark world (16).

Interruption - a group family hug out watching the “fire in the sky” [colorful morning clouds]. Brought back in by the 10 year old call of “Extra. Extra. Read all about it” as he  delivered his Papa’s paper.

These are exactly the joyous smiles You have provided us these many years. Thanks Dad! You teach us. Through Your life giving Word (v. 16).

The apostle Paul wrote to the Philippian believers to thank them for supporting his ministry. And to encourage them. How we need this encouragement.

Paul wrote of faith and sacrifice (17). As well as gladness and joy (18). Thank You for this example of Your work in us.

Personalizing it as I quote verse 13 right here. “Yes, it is You God who is working in us. You help us want to do what pleases You, and You give us the power to do it.”

Given the masterpiece of Your morning sky, how much more perfect is the song with which I awoke singing. ♪When I think back on all the crap I learned in high school It’s a wonder I can think at all And though my lack of education hasn’t hurt me none I can read the writing on the wall Kodachrome we’re given these nice bright colors Given the greens of summer Makes you think all the world’s a sunny day, oh yeah♪

You color our thinking Lord!

Thank You for all this work You do on our behalf. Arrange all You must that we would live this day [that You have made (Psalm 118:24a)] as You know is best. Rejoicing and being glad in it (v. 24b).

We love You. We need You. We trust and want You. Work Your will Dearest God. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(397 words ~ 7:09 a.m.)

Part 2

 Friday, October 6, 2023 (9:30 a.m.)

Yowza, God!

Thank You! You at work. In. With. By. Through. And for us!

YOU, Father! You unclogged and fully opened some very blocked lines of communication over here.

Speaking Your Truth in love, we were able to gently navigate our way through what used to have been very treacherous territory. You led, guided and directed us in using our words wisely and well.

Thank You for the love You clothed us is that we would choose to be careful with one another’s feelings. Getting all the way down to the root of the problem. The very beginnings of a resentment.

And heres are verses that cover us completely! The Living Bible. Hebrews 12:14-15. “Try to stay out of all quarrels, and seek to live a clean and holy life, for one who is not holy will not see the Lord. Look after each other so that not one of you will fail to find God’s best blessings. Watch out that no bitterness [resentment] takes root among you, for as it springs up it causes deep trouble, hurting many in their spiritual lives.”

Amen Dear Lord! You are doing this for us. Thank You. Praise You. We love You. Keep using us. Amen.

(213 words ~ 9:52 a.m.)

praying

 Friday, October 6, 2023 (5:52 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You for the opportunity of praying. Coming before You. Just as we are. On behalf of others. And ourselves.

What a truly good God You are. Great. Glorious. Gracious. Kind. Loving. Forgiving.

Thank You for Your Word of Truth and promises. How completely blessed we are to have ready access to You. And It.

Lead and guide me in my reading and praying. Direct my seeking and my finding. I’m Yours, Lord. I want that to be obvious to You. Others. And myself.

(7:04 a.m.)

Singing [♪Holy Spirit You Are Welcome Here♪ and ♪Glory of Love♪]. Smiling. Standing firmly and staying my mind on Your Word [Colossians 3:1-14].

(7:40 a.m.)

Mm, yes Lord. The glory of YOUR love!

You have changed my heart. My soul. My mind and strength. Your Truth. Your will. Your way. Continue Your work in me I pray.

Asking, seeking, knocking (Matthew 7:7) for the healing of others. Physical. Emotional. Spiritual. And mental healings are being asked Dear Lord. You know the details. And Your plans.

Plans for good and not for evil. Plans for a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). This is not at all the direction I was headed. Thank You for Your intervention on our behavior, behave, behalf!

“’In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for Me wholeheartedly, you will find 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 will bring you home again to your own land’” (vs. 12-14). Your Truth. And promises.

Going back to Colossians. Illustrated Bible Handbook. Chapter 3. Christ, The Pattern for a Fulfilling Life One Focus Only; 3:1-4… The Glory of Love; 3:5-14. More Truth. More promises.

Do all You must that we will learn to live [and LOVE!] as You would have us. We do love You Lord. We absolutely need, trust and want You.

Use us as only You know is best. ‘Clothing ourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Making allowances for each other’s faults, and forgiving anyone who offends us. Remembering that the Lord forgave us, so we must forgive each other. Above all, clothing ourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony’ (Colossians 3:12-14).

The Message describes the love mentioned here as our “basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.” Make it so, Dear Lord. I am praying You make it so. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(456 words ~ 8:35 a.m.)

remembrances

 Thursday, October 5, 2023 (4:37 a.m.)

Good morning Blessed God,

What dreams I had. Detailed. So many people and remembrances from the past. Hmm, remembrances.

(5:45 a.m.)

Thank You for the privilege of coming before You exactly as we are. Looking to You to lead and guide us. We get to turn to You. Seeking. Finding. Thank You Father. Yes. Praise You Lord.

(6:49 a.m.)

Focusing on You and Your Word, rather than the details of my dreams is such a better use of our time together. Thank You for reminding me of the importance of putting my remembrances on You!

The smile on my face [as well as deeply within] comes so much more readily and naturally than ever before. Yet another remembrance of the strength of Your mighty power (Ephesians 6:10) ever at work in me. Thank You Father.

Thank You for every single reminder we have of You working in, with, by, through and for us. You are so very good. Great. Glorious. And gracious (Psalm 145:5-9). Father God, I am so incredibly grateful for You!

Your Word IS a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Psalm 119:105 Tree of Life Version). And from here I’m directed to John 8:12 and 12:35. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You!

Being so close there in John, I turn to chapter 15. Jesus, the True Vine. Reading these words of Truth and promises I continue on. The World’s Hatred (vs.18-16:4). The Work of the Holy Spirit (16:5-15).

I want to live in and work through the absolute Spirit of Your Truth (16:13). Loving as You would have me love (John 15:12; 17). Remaining in Your love (v. 9). Filled with Your joy. Yes, joy that will overflow! (11).

Searching for remembrances of Your leading and guiding, I come to Psalm 32:8-9. Asking (Matthew 7:7) that You empower me in following You as You direct.

“The LORD says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.’”

The Life Recovery Bible comment for verses 5-9 stresses our need to confess our sins to You while admitting them to people we have harmed. In so doing, we set good examples and free our hearts from guilt. Reestablishing healthy relationships as You would have them.

Do all You must that I will follow David’s words in Psalm 32:11. “So rejoice in the LORD and be glad, all you who obey Him! Shout for joy, all whose hearts are pure!”

I want very much for my heart to be pure Dear Lord. Use me as You know is best. I love, need, trust and want You. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

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

hopefulness

 Wednesday, October 4, 2023 (5:22 a.m.)

Blessed Holy God,

Thank You. Praise You. I feel better. Thank You!

Ennui has been replaced with eagerness. There is again an underlying sense of hopefulness. Mm, yes. Thank You God.

Singing and smiling already, I am truly grateful Father. ♪[For Your love]…Ooo, I’ve tried so hard to take it But alone my heart won’t make it I Just Wanna Stop And tell You what I feel about You Lord I just wanna stop I never wanna live without You, Lord I just gotta stop For Your love♪

Mm, yes! Turning to Your Word. Contemporary English Version. Psalm 61:1-3. “(A psalm by David for the music leader. Use with stringed instruments.) Under the Protection of God Please listen, God, and answer my prayer! I feel hopeless, and I cry out to you from a faraway land. Lead me to the mighty rock high above me. You are a strong tower, where I am safe from my enemies.”

Blessed God! Physical unpleasantness is still coming in waves. But the hopefulness I am experiencing completely outweighs the unease. This is You, Father! Thank You.

While looking at Psalm 61, I am directed to Psalm 18. Here I join in David’s song. “I love You, LORD; You are my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find my protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. I called on the LORD, who is worthy of praise and He saved me from my enemies” (vs. 1-3).

My enemies here could easily be my own thoughts. Thank You Father that You are so much stronger than the the various directions my mind would have me go.

Continuing in Psalm 18 I read, “The ropes of death entangled me; floods of destruction swept over me. The grave wrapped its ropes around me; death laid a trap in my path. But in my distress I cried out to the LORD; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from His sanctuary; my cry to Him reached His ears.”

Thank You God! Our cries to You do not go unheard. You are so very good. Great. Glorious. Gracious. And we are truly grateful.

Use me this day. The one You have made (Psalm 118:24a). I want very much to rejoice and be glad in it (v. 24b). Representing You well. Hopeful.

Loving as You would have me love. You. With all my heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30). And my neighbor as myself (v. 31).

Teach me. Empowering and enabling me as You know is best. I love, need, trust and want You. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(460 words ~ 6:46 a.m.)

smiling anyway

 Tuesday, October 3, 2023 (6:14 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You. You are good. Great. Glorious. Gracious. And I am grateful.

Falling asleep last night while thanking You, I knew I was smiling. Sitting with You now, I know I am again. Smiling anyway.

Huge confession is coming. I haven’t said it out loud to You because I see myself as weak. Not wanting to bother You with trivial matters. 

I skirt. Attempting to ignore. Wanting desperately to avoid the inevitable. Here it is. Father, I don’t feel good. Something is off. I halfheartedly think it’s one thing. Allergies? Or another. Food choices?

Changes in the weather? Emotional issues? Stress? Disappointments? I’ve been attempting to hide them all under the guise of cheerfulness and joy.

Father, I absolutely appreciate the opportunity of rejoicing and being glad. And even here, as I’m finally being straight with You, a feeling of Your power is coming over me. Thank You Lord.

This IS joy! Nothing I’m attempting to manufacture. Or present. This is joy brought on by Christ’s teachings. Thank You Lord.

Thank You for the faith, hope and love that remain when all else is gone (1 Corinthians 13:13). I’m smiling as I read this section in The Passion Translation‘s rendering of Your Word.

“For now we see but a faint reflection of riddles and mysteries as though reflected in a mirror, but one day we will see face-to-face. My understanding is incomplete now, but one day I will understand everything, just as everything about me has been fully understood. Until then, there are three things that remain: faith, hope, and love—yet love surpasses them all. So above all else, let love be the beautiful prize for which you run” (vs. 12-13).

Father, thank You so much for the blessings You provide us. Each and every single day.

Directed to Psalm 147:11 after searching “smiling with Jesus” I am again amazed by Your love and provision.

F.A.C.T.

 Monday, October 2, 2023 (6:11 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Thank You.

In searching to learn how to “faithfully apply Christ’s teachings” I found these two Truths:

“In John 10:30, Jesus said, 'The Father and I are one.' He sought always to dwell in a consciousness of pure harmony with Spirit, and in this state of oneness with God, the stress of human life was powerless to deter him from his mission.”

“By constantly affirming God’s presence and power in our lives, we, too, can experience 'the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding'. (Phil. 4:7)”

(6:47 a.m.)

Yes. Thank You Blessed God. So many thoughts swim around in my head. Thank You that I get to bring them all back to You.

I confess to getting caught up in my feelings. And fears. Thank You that Jesus’ teachings are far greater. Stronger. More powerful than any all of the things my mind considers.

Blessed Father God, how truly I thank You for the ways You work in, with, by, through and for me. I love the freedom we have to search Your Word. Finding Your Truth.

Lord, I want to faithfully apply Christ’s teachings. Thank You for reminding me that I must know these teachings in order to apply them. Lead and guide me 

Psalm 29:11

Proverbs 16:20

Jeremiah 17:7 (5-10).

Matthew 5-7. The Sermon on the Mount

Mercy and grace in Christ. Your Truth. Your teachings. Lead me. Guide me. Do all You must that I walk this day [which You have made (Psalm 118 24a)] as You would have me. Truly rejoicing and being glad (v. 24b).

I love You Father. I need, trust and want You. Empower me in faithfully applying Christ’s teachings. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(286 words ~ 7:46 a.m.)