absoluteness

 Thursday, March 21, 2024 (5:23 a.m.)

Absolute, Loving Lord,

Thank You for the opportunity to search Your Word. To come to You with a heart of wanting to know You better.

Thank You that as I read of Your absoluteness (Isaiah 44:6) I immediately start singing. Barry White of all things. ♪You’re the First, the Last, my Everything♪

Ephesians 4:31-32

1 John 4:19

(6:20 a.m.)

More reading brings about more singing. ♪To know, know, know You Is to love, love, love You And I do, yes I do, yes I do♪

(6:47 a.m.)

Father, keep teaching us I ask (Matthew 7:7) of You. You know all You would have us think, say, do and be.

Work in, with, by, through and for us that we would truly come to glorify and enjoy You as You originally designed. In all of Your absolute good, gracious, glorious greatness.

Continue lining us up to Your will and Your way. Loving, trusting, needing and wanting You! Thank You Lord. Praise You God.

(178 words ~ 7:01 a.m.)

Anyway.

 Wednesday, March 20, 2024 (6:28 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

Thank You. Again. Anyway.

(6:45 a.m.)

Yes, Lord.

I’m feeling reluctant. Reticent. Resistant. Not yet willing to offer specific thanks and praise. So I offer up this automatic phrase. Asking You to change it into something meaningful.

Mm, yes. Meaningful thanks.

(7:12 a.m.)

And with that? I’m singing. And smiling. Thank You Father.

♪Give Thanks with a grateful heart Give thanks to the Holy One Give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son♪ Yes! No matter how I feel at any given time, You are still God in Heaven!

Thank You Father. Use me today, as only You are able. I love, need, trust and want You. ♪So I’ll Let My Words Be Few - Jesus I am so in love with You♪ Amen.

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

thinking clearly

 Tuesday, March 19, 2024 (6:22 a.m.)

Holy God,

There’s been confusion already this morning. It’s Tuesday, not Saturday. Visits from long departed loved ones were only in my dreams. Thank You for clearer thinking Lord.

(7:19 a.m.)

Thank You for the opportunity of searching Your Word. So many verses about being sober minded and thinking clearly. Isaiah 26:3 tells us, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You.” Thank You God.

The Life Recovery Bible comment for this verse explains how our minds are affected by our thoughts. We can become full of anxiety or turmoil by our memories. “But when we learn to work through the past and fix our thoughts on the Lord, we can receive His perfect peace.”

Yes, please Lord. Keep me learning! I love, need, trust and want You. Use me as You know is best. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(161 words ~ 7:37 a.m.)

nothing to say

 Monday, March 18, 2024 (6:08 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You.

(7:08 a.m.)

And entire hour! Sitting here. Thinking. Wondering. Wanting. Waiting. And still I have nothing more to say. Maybe that original thank You is enough.

At first I thought I had nothing to say. That I needed to expand on the thanks I’d offered You. Thank You God that I can come before You with what appears to be nothing and still You hear me.

(7:31 a.m.)

Continuing to search as I sit, here I come to Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 Approaching God with Care. My smile broadens as I realize ♪You ARE God in heaven! And here am I on earth So I’ll let my words be few Jesus, I am so in love with You And I’ll stand in awe of You…♪

Father God, I ask (Matthew 7:7) You to use me. Exactly as You alone know is best. Leading. Guiding. Directing me in my thoughts, words, actions and character.

“As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut… Talk is cheap… Fear God instead” (Ecclesiastes 5:1-7). Thank You Lord. Thank You! Amen.

(199 words ~ 7:48 a.m.)

forgivenesses

 Sunday, March 17, 2024 (7:11 a.m.)

Blessed, Father God,

Thank You. There was sleep. And rest. Dreams. There was conversation. And laughter. Forgivenesses offered. And received.

Ephesians 4:32

Matthew 6:14

Colossians 3:13

Luke 6:37

Psalm 86:5

Father, thank You for Your Word. And Your guidance. Thank You for the ways Your Holy Spirit directs us in putting our focus on Your teachings.

still...

 Saturday, March 16, 2024 (6:35 a.m.)

Blessed God,

Thank You for the many things I still am. I started with tired. Then went to smiling. The floodgates seemed to open from there. Different. Loved. Learning.

♪I’m Still Standing♪ just came to mind. As did curious.

(6:58 a.m.)

Oh but look at this! A song I’ve never heard before. ♪You’re Still God♪ Looking further, here’s another one. Just plain, ♪Still God♪

Father, how I thank You for people who find words and melodies that sing out my heart. While I very well may still be a lot of things, it’s all that You are that matters most.

Philippa Hanna sings of shaken foundations. Breaking hearts. Faded hope. Heavy questions. Feeling forsaken. Yet she still stands firm in knowing ♪that You still reign and You’re Still God♪

Lord, thank You for the ways You steer my focus. You take my thoughts off all that I still am and place it where it rightly belongs. On all that You still are!

Anne Wilson puts Your Truth into lyrics I fully embrace. Pain is still painful. Hurt still hurts. We still get to choose to believe that ♪You’re Still God, You’re still good You’re still making’ a way just like You said You would♪

You’re still on the throne. Still in control. We get to be still, knowing we’re still Yours. While walking through the valley we still have peace in our souls. You’re still walking with us. Still moving mountains. Still parting seas. ♪Still workin’ all things for my good And still holding’ on to me♪

Thank You God. Thank You for all You still are. Work in, with, by, through and for me as You know is best. I love, need, trust and want You. Empower and enable me in honoring and glorifying You.

Yes! Lord, be glorified. In my thoughts. My words. My actions. And their results. Thank You for all You are and do for Your glory and my good (Romans 8:28-30). Use me. Praise You. Amen.

(342 words ~ 8:07 a.m.)

"in good faith"

 Friday, March 15, 2024 (5:35 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy, Father God,

Thank You. The thought I went to sleep with last night was “in good faith.” Throughout each waking, I remembered the focus and went right back to sleep. Thank You Lord.

Thank You that Your Word has much to say about both faith and goodness. Guide me this morning I ask (Matthew 7:7).

(6:27 a.m.)

Well, this is most unexpected. Hebrews 11. I really didn’t see it coming. Thank You God for never ceasing to surprise and guide us.

“Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see” (Hebrews 11:1).

(6:54 a.m.)

Mm, reading more. Wanting to know more. Thank You God. The Life Recovery Bible answers its own questions in “Step 2 Hope in Faith Hebrews 11:1-10.”

“How can we be confident that something we want is going to happen, especially if all of our hopes have been dashed? How can we risk believing that the life we hope for is waiting for us around the bend?

“The Bible tells us that the key is in the nature of the higher Power we look to. We are told that ‘anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him’ (Hebrews 11:6). If we see God as one who is reaching out to help us, we will be more eager to look for Him. If our faith has not matured to that point yet, we can ask for help.”

Here Mark 9:22-24 is cited. A dad asking Jesus to help his son. Reading his crying out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief” to Jesus’ claim that “Anything is possible if a person believes” buoys my heart.

Father thank You for the layers and depths that this one word [faith] takes us. “We can start by asking God to help us have more faith. Then we can ask Him for the courage to hope for a better future” (Step 2 Hope in Faith).

Yes. Please. Faith. Courage. Hope. Do all You must dearest God that we will truly live this day “in good faith.” You are good. Great. Glorious. Gracious. And we are grateful.

Use us as You know is best. Loving, trusting, needing and wanting You. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(406 words ~ 7:40 a.m.)