two descriptive words

Wednesday, April 3, 2019 (6:47 a.m. CDT)

Puerto Vallarta, MX

Holy, Holy God,

You have blessed us so incredibly much through the years. And we are extremely grateful. Exceedingly, abundantly (Ephesians 3:20) grateful!

Oh yes Dearest Father. Here we are at yet another destination. With all the sights and sounds of big city life. Thank You Blessed God that we get to experience this as well.

You provide us opportunity to talk with people. Get to go just a little bit out of our own comfort zones and learn about others. Thank You God.

Thank You that it is in this vein that we get to listen and learn. This morning I am especially aware of two descriptive words. In my own thinking and in Your Word as well. Two words joined together in order to describe.

Extremely grateful. Exceedingly, abundantly. Dearest Father…

Turning to Paul’s letter to the Ephesians I read “secret plan” and “spiritual empowering”. More examples of two descriptive words. Thank You God.

Beginning this reading in chapter 3, I find: “special ministry”, “equal share”, “God’s children”, “both groups”, “Good News”, “same body”, “Christ Jesus”, “special favor”, “mighty power”, “wonderful privilege”.

The list continues as does my reading: “least deserving”, “special joy”, “endless treasures”, “God’s purpose”. Are these the two descriptive words that matter most right now? Your purpose?

Mm. Thank You Blessed Father. Thank You that we get to turn to Your Word knowing that It is “full of ‘living power’” (Hebrews 4:12). “It is sharper than the ‘sharpest knife’, ‘cutting deep’ into our ‘innermost thoughts’ and desires. It exposes us for what we really are.”

And this morning Glorious Father, I am desperate for You. To know You. Walk with You. Share You with others. My Lord and Savior. Mm, yes.

“God’s purpose was to show ‘His wisdom’ in all its ‘rich variety’ to all the rulers and authorities in the ‘heavenly realms’. They will see this when Jews and Gentiles are ‘joined together’ in ‘His church’. This was ‘His plan’ from ‘all eternity’, and it has now been carried out through Christ Jesus ‘our Lord’” (Ephesians 3:10-11).

Blessed Father, I ask You to use Your very descriptive words with me this day. Making me aware. Able. Inclined to share them with others.

“Because of Christ and our faith in Him, we can now ‘come fearlessly’ into ‘God’s presence’, assured of His ‘glad welcome’” (v. 12).

How I love You, Blessed God. Use me exactly as You know is best this day. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

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

manage

Tuesday, April 2, 2019 (7:29 a.m.)

Mazatlan Harbor, MX

Holy God,

Thank You. It is because of You that we get to see these sights. These vistas. These views.

What an honor. Such a privilege. Opportunities we do not take for granted. Nor wish to squander. Mm, yes Blessed Father, help us manage these gifts You so freely give to us.

And here’s the first song of the morning. ♪Freely, freely You have received; Freely, freely give. Go in my name and because you believe, Others will know that I live♪ Yes please Father. I want to do that.

Go in Your name so others will know that You live. Yes! Empower and enable us in doing exactly that. Managing the resources You provide that we will freely give to others.

Holiest God, I confess. I don’t even know what that would look like.

As I search and scour Your Word I come to Paul’s letters of encouragement to both Timothy (1;5:14) and Titus (2:3-5). Here I read of widows and older women. Immediately I think of my own familial history dating back over one hundred years.

A young mother of two sons widowed early on. Married again. Three more sons added. Then widowed once more. Father God, the older I get the deeper this story strikes me.

Reading Paul’s words concerning widows and elders I am encouraged in knowing that You were the Originator of these plans for their care. Thank You Father. Thank You.

Thank You for the heart You have given me that is such a huge proponent for strong, healthy marriages. As I continue to read Paul’s words I find myself all the more amazed.

I read. I think. I liken myself where appropriate. I think of the widows in my own family and I thank You God for Your perfect care of them all.

Moving over to Titus and reading of Paul’s charge to the older men and women this is where I ask Your empowerment. Truly Father, we long “to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely… [having] strong faith and be filled with love and patience (Titus 2:2).

Specifically for me I ask You to teach me ‘to live in a way appropriate for someone serving the Lord… not go[ing] around speaking evil of others and not being a heavy drinker. Instead, that I would teach others what is good’ (v.3).

Truly Father, I long to be one of “these older women [who] must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and pure, to take care of their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God” (4-5).

Father God, I am a living, breathing example of one having chosen to follow You. To believe You. To trust You. And to allow You to work in me.

Let this be what I freely give to others this day. My love and adoration of You that ultimately trickled over to that of this “good boyfriend” You have provided me.

I love You Father. I thank You. And I ask You to use me this day exactly as You know is best. Thank You. Amen.

(554 words ~ 8:38 a.m.)

fearfully and wonderfully made

Monday, April 1, 2019 (6:55 a.m.)

Nearing Cabo San Lucas, MX

Most Holy God,

Thank You!

Thank You for making each of us exactly as we are. Mm, yes Father. Thank You that we are truly “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm139:14a).

You did this Father. For each of us. “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb” (v. 13). You know Your reasons. Your plans (Jeremiah 29:11).

Thank You. Yes. “Your workmanship is marvelous - and how well I know it. You watched… You saw …Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed” (14b-16c). I can’t even begin imagining all this entailed.

It is You [¡Eres Tu!] that has written the books of our lives. This is something I don’t fully understand. Looking over to and reading in Revelation (19:11 - 22:21) I notice a hopeful anticipation.

The Rider on the White Horse. The Thousand Years. The Defeat of Satan. The Final Judgment. The New Jerusalem. Jesus Is Coming. Until our latest study in Revelation I dared not hope of ever understanding any of it. This morning my thinking is, “Yes!”

“Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. And the one sitting on the horse was name Faithful and True. For He judges fairly and then goes to war” (v 19:11).

Just think about this! “Faithful and True… judges fairly and then goes to war” Oh Hallelujah!

Count me as hopeful! Yes. Fearfully and wonderfully made.

I confess to believing, yet not fully understanding what it is I believe. Much like in the past when I’ve quoted Natalie Wood’s character in The Miracle on 34th Street. “I believe. I believe. I don’t know why I believe. But I believe.”

Holy God, I DO believe! I believe that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I believe Christ was, and is and is to come. I believe You are good. And holy. All powerful. I believe it because ♪the Bible tells me so♪

Use me this day Blessed God. This excitement, this Truth, this fire inside me. Use it to Your glory and for the good of others. Thank You Father. I love You so much. Amen.

(380 words ~ 8:11 a.m.)

♪ Eres Tú ♪ ~ 3/31/19

Sunday, March 31, 2019 (7:19 a.m.)

South to Cabo San Lucas

Oh most dear and holy God,

Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.

It is YOU… and right there the music in my mind started, completely changing my focus and direction. One minute I’m thanking You for all You are and do on our behalf.

And the next? I’m searching to find the translation for the Spanish words I am singing to You. ♪Eres Tú♪

Loosely translated, I’m hoping on the right track with what I’ve found. ♪Yes. That’s You. Every wonderful sensation… the touch of love in the night… a promise of laughter… the sun in the morning on a mountain, the green of a meadow in the soft summer dew Oh yes, Oh yes, that is You♪

Holy God how I thank You for the things You sing to and teach us. How grateful I am to settle in and consider You being in ♪the love song… the silvery music of a fountain, the sensual whisper of a mellow guitar… the love of my lifetime… the lingering rainbow♪

Yes! Just look at how quickly You come to mind when I experience incredible beauty. Like the lingering of a rainbow. You are absolutely the “Wow!” factor in my life. Thank You God.

We have the opportunity to do so many things today. There are places to go and people to see. Be in it all Dearest God.

I love You. I long to serve You and to share You with those I meet. Be in, with, by, through and for me this day Blessed God.

Thank You for Who and all You are. Truly ♪Eres Tú♪. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(287 words ~ 8:04 a.m.)

opportunities to change

Saturday, March 30, 2019 (6:08 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Thank You that You are so good. You provide us opportunities. Opportunities for change.

Mm, yes Father. Opportunities for change.

Every moment we have choices. The things we think. See. Say. Do. Thank You Father.

Thank You that through the years You have allowed me to see and learn how these choices affect not only me, but those around me as well. Simple things really. Like which words to use. Even in my thinking.

I can choose to take a negative tone. Or positive. Build up. Or tear down.

Thank You Father. Thank You for the lessons You’ve had for me through the years. Lessons about managing my thoughts.

Blessed God, there is so very much for us to learn about how the very words we think color our choices. Your Word teaches us to ‘take our thoughts captive (2 Corinthians 10:5) to make them obedient to Christ.’ Thank You Father.

Thank You that Romans 12:2 tells us to “not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds…” And Paul’s words to the Philippians (4:8) shows us how.

“Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious - the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.” Yes Father.

Thank You that there is a promise from Paul here. “Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into His most excellent harmonies” (v. 9).

Mm, yes Father. The opportunities You have provided for us to change has absolutely introduced me to Your excellent harmonies. Thank You Father. Use me in this. Helping others learn the importance of choosing and using our words wisely and well.

Be glorified and praised Dearest Lord. I love You. I need You. I choose You. I thank You. Amen.

(345 words ~ 7:17 a.m.)

every given day

Friday, March 29, 2019 (6:26 a.m.)

♪Holy, Holy… You are my everything And I will adore You♪

Good morning God. I like when songs of You sing to me. I also like when I can find the lyrics easily. Thank You Father.

♪Revelation Song♪ again. Holy, holy are You. Speak with me about the Truth and meaning of this.

From here I am singing the “girls” portion of Michael W. Smith’s ♪You Are Holy (Prince of Peace)♪ with tears in my eyes.

Blessed God You are so good to us. How I thank You for the many ways You speak to us through every given day. Mm, Lord. Guide and direct me into Your Word.

Given. Hmm… You have given us so very much. Far more than we can ever count. Father, thank You.

Still asking to be guided in Your Word, I find a site directing Believers in giving back to You. Every single day.

You have given us gifts to use for Your glory and the good of others. Talents? We each have them. We are to use time wisely. Prayerfully asking You to help us make each hour count.

Holy God, how I thank You that we get to choose to believe that You are good. Holy. Perfect. Yes!

Jeremiah 29:12 tells us that when we pray, you will listen. “If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me” (13). Thank You Father.

When I look at THE BOTTOM LINE for Jeremiah, the PURPOSE is “To warn the people of Judah to turn from sin and denial, and to obey God’s good plan for them.” Yes Father, how I long to obey Your good plan for me.

The KEY VERSE is listed as 15:16. “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.” And right there? ♪Revelation Song♪ begins again!

♪… You are my everything And I will adore You…♪ Thank You Father that we have this privilege.

And with this privilege again comes the call to give back to You. Our praise. Our worship. The best of our energy. And our enthusiasm. Yes please Father.

It has long been my quest to become a good steward of Your blessings. Continue Your work in me I pray. I love You so much. Let it be seen and known by others.

Thank You Father. I love You. Amen.

(415 words ~ 8:21 a.m.)

astound

Thursday, March 28, 2019 (6:59 a.m.)

Most Dear and Blessed God,

Thank You. Your love astounds me. Yes. Astound.

Just as I was preparing to ask You where in Your Word should I go, here is the answer. Psalm 100. It has it all. Five short verses. Starting with, “Shout with joy to the LORD, O earth!”

Yes! Oh Father how I do “Worship the LORD with gladness. Come before Him, singing with joy” (v. 2).

“Acknowledge that the LORD is God! He made us and we are His. We are His people, the sheep of His pasture” (3).

It is our love and trust in You that allows us to hope each and every day. Thank You Father.

The mere idea that we get to “Enter His gates with thanksgiving; go into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and bless His name” (4) truly astounds me. The freedom that following You allows us is mind boggling.

Switching now to The Passion Translation, with what is called “A song for thanksgiving” I begin again at verse one. “Lift up a great shout of joy to the Lord! Go ahead and do it - everyone, everywhere!”

Yes Father. Everyone. Everywhere. Thank You for teaching us through these years of the importance of shouting to You with joy.

“As you serve Him, be glad and worship Him. Sing your way into His presence with joy!” Not a manufactured, this is the way we do it in church kind of thing. No. True, absolute, heartfelt rejoicing! Thank You Father.

“And realize what this really means - we have the privilege of worshiping the Lord our God. For He is our Creator and we belong to Him. We are the people of His pleasure.” Privilege! Honor. Pleasure. Yes Father, thank You for Your Truth. And Your call on our lives.

“You can pass through His open gates with the password of praise. Come right into His presence with thanksgiving. Come bring your thank offering to Him and affectionately bless His beautiful name!”

Cursing doesn’t get us there. Neither does grumbling, grousing nor record keeping of wrongs. Nope. It’s praise and thanksgiving that open the gates to You. Thank You Father for all You have done to make it so.

“For the Lord is always good and ready to receive you. He’s so loving that it will amaze you - so kind that it will astound you!” And it does! Truly.

“And He is famous for His faithfulness toward all. Everyone knows our God can be trusted, for He keeps His promises to every generation!” You are and You do. Thank You!

This is where I go back to The Life Recovery Bible and the comment I found there. “100:1-5 We always have reasons to rejoice:”

Even that Truth took me time to accept! When all is not to my liking I am still called to rejoice? I didn’t think so. What about when fear set in? Rejoice! Thank You Father.

“We live in God’s presence, under His continual care, and we experience His love each day.” Holy God, You remember how long it’s taken me to truly trust You. All those years ago when my level of authority was: earthly father, husband, Heavenly Father. In that order, with no willingness to change.

And then You shifted everything with me. Aligned my priorities with Yours. “Each time we come into His presence, our heart should be filled with gratitude and praise.” And it is! Because of Your astounding love for each of us.

“God never stops showering us with His love; He always keeps His promise to help us when we call on Him.” Take this RECOVERY COMMENTARY NOTE for example. You are Who brought me here to trusting and depending on You in the first place.

Thank You Father. Praise You!

Use me this day. Exactly as You know is best. To Your good and to Your glory. You know the prayers of my heart for those who are hurting and in desperate need of Your healing. Be exactly Who and All we are crying out for.

Oh how we love You. This I ask in Your Son’s most holy name. Thank You Father. I love You. Use me. Amen.

(709 words ~ 7:56 a.m.)