Tuesday, February 28, 2017

I Am Holy

And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!" - Revelation 4:8

"And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, 'I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.'" - Acts 13:22

David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the Lord." And Nathan said to Daniel, "The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die." - II Samuel 12:13

"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1

Dear God,

You are always with me but You are also completely holy. I am very blessed to be able to call You my Savior and Friend. And I need to be careful with Your Name. Forgive me when I err.

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Monday, February 27, 2017

I Will Never Fail You

"His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man, but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love." - Psalm 147:10-11

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." - Lamentations 3:22-23

"So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him." - I John 4:16

"Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and they who dwell in it will die in like manner; but my salvation will be forever, and my righteousness will never be dismayed." - Isaiah 51:6

Dear God, 

Your love never fails. Failure is everywhere in this world. People make mistakes, people lie, and people let me down. I also make mistakes and bad choices. A love that never fails is hard to understand. You are God. You are perfect. You are forever. Yet You came down to earth as a tiny baby. You grew up here on earth. You know everything I'm going through. You understand. Your mercies never stop. Your salvation and goodness will never end. You are pleased with those who trust Your love and You will never let me down.

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Sunday, February 26, 2017

Strong Again

For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, "In returning and east you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength." But you were unwilling, and you said, "No! We will flee upon horses"; therefore you shall flee away; and, "We will ride upon swift steeds"; therefore your pursuers shall be swift. - Isaiah 30:15-16

Other translation focal verse: This is what the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, says: "If you come back to me and trust me, you will be saved. If you will be calm and trust me, you will be strong." But you don't want to do that. - Isaiah 30:15

"Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you." - Deuteronomy 31:6

"Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." - Isaiah 40:30-31

Dear God,

If I will be calm and trust You, I will be strong. You will not leave me when I need You. God, I give You all of the concerns the disabled have right now with regard to healthcare and the ACA right now. I am going to trust that You will not allow the republicans to hurt us. I am placing this in Your hands. Strengthen me and guide me.

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Saturday, February 25, 2017

In Training

"Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted." - Hebrews 12:3

"But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself." - Philippians 3:20-21

Thus says the Lord: "The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness; when Israel sought for rest, the Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you." - Jeremiah 31:2-3

Dear God,

Life is a long journey up a mountain that can sometimes be hard to keep going and keep trying to do the right thing. You are training me to take one step after another, even when it's tough. Teach me to find You even in the middle of a struggle.

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Friday, February 24, 2017

The Secret of Being Happy

"I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need." - Philippians 4:12

"Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us." - Psalm 62:8

"It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre." - Psalm 92:1-3

Dear God, 

Teach me how to be happy no matter the circumstances. God, today, You know my troubled thoughts and troubled heart. Even when I cannot put words to what is troubling me, You know them loud and clear. God, please show Yourself in a huge way to all of us who depend on the protections on the ACA as the republicans have set their sights on that even more so again. God, You are Provider. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name, 

Amen


Thursday, February 23, 2017

Every Reason to Be Happy

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." - Romans 12:12

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works." - Titus 2:11-14

"I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand." - John 10:28

"To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace." - Romans 8:6

Dear God, 

Be happy and shout with joy. I have every reason to be happy because You are here with me now and Heaven is waiting for me in the future. You have already paid for my sins and my mistakes and covered me with Your own perfection. No matter what is going on in my life, I can count on You. No one can steal me out from Your hand. Pray at all times. Pray especially when I am struggling. May the Spirit help control my thinking and help me to pray. I have every reason to have hope and be patent in the midst of trouble. God, my troubled thoughts today are that I am finally being moved forward toward having IVIG for a trial on and trial for period and I am terrified about the republicans trying to take away my access to healthcare. We don't have universal care because republicans think it's socialism and that somehow socialism is a bad thing. Republicans are greedy monsters who don't like paying their taxes even though You have said they are supposed to. They don't want others to have what they need because it might end up going to someone who is just "lazy." God, I'm struggling to see You and to feel You right now in the midst of all of this hostility that the republicans are putting forth. They are not the republicans I knew when Bush was in office. They are demonic. They are anti-everything You stand for. Please help me to keep holding Your hand. Don't let go of me! 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name, 

Amen

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Like Air for Your Soul

"For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken." - Psalm 62:5-6

"But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever." - Psalm 52:8

"She will bear a son, and you shall his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." - Matthew 1:21

Dear God,

Help me to practice being in Your presence breathing You in and out like I do with the air. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name, 

Amen

Worth Bragging About

Thus says the Lord: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord." - Jeremiah 9:23-24

"The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge." - Psalm 19:1-2

And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment." - Matthew 22:37-38

Dear God, 

Anything I do is because of the gifts You give me. If I want to brag, I should brag that I understand and know You and brag that You are the Lord. God, help me to never be like Trump. Help me to never insult others by bragging about riches. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name, 

Amen

Monday, February 20, 2017

My Love Goes on Forever

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good, his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations." - Psalm 100:4-5

"So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight." - II Corinthians 5:6-7

"Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel." - Psalm 22:3

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever." - Psalm 136:1-3

Dear God, 

You are good and Your love goes on forever. Help me to always live by what I believe about You and not by what I can see in the world. The more I praise You, the closer I will be to You. This is so challenging because all the bad happening in the world right now, in America with the Trump catastrophe! God, You know what Your children, what the least of these need. Help us all.

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Sunday, February 19, 2017

A Happy Heart

"A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." - Proverbs 17:22

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." - John 16:33

"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 8:38-39

Dear God, 

A happy heart is like good medicine. I have every reason to be happy because You have defeated the world. Your death on the cross completely conquered every power on this earth and beyond. No one has the power to harm me. Nothing in this whole world will ever be able to separate me from Your love. Sometimes it is difficult to remain happy when faced with the ugliness of what is going on in this world. Help me to always focus on You. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Saturday, February 18, 2017

The Truth

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." - John 8:31-32

"Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind! In the cover of your presence you hide them from the plots of men; you store them in your shelter from the strife of tongues." - Psalm 31:19-20

"But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall." - Malachi 4:2

"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death." - Romans 8:1-2

Dear God,

You came into my life to make me free. The closer I live to You, the freer I will be. I will know the truth, and the truth will set me free. May my heart always be receptive to the truth and may it always be on guard against the lies.

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Friday, February 17, 2017

Your Anchor

"We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek." - Hebrews 6:19-20

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." - I Peter 1:3-5

Other translation focal verse: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God has great mercy, and because of his mercy he gave us a new life. He gave us a living hope because Jesus Christ rose from death." - I Peter 1:3

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful." - Hebrews 10:23

Dear God,

Your hope is an anchor for my soul holding me sure and steady in a safe place with storms all around.

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Thursday, February 16, 2017

The Devil and His Tracks

The Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded, and he went to meet Asa and said to him, "Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: The Lord is with you while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you." - II Chronicles 15:1-2

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." - Matthew 28:19-20

Then the Lord God said to the woman, "What is this that you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate." - Genesis 3:13

Dear God, 

Whenever I look for You, I will find You. You are with me always. Help me to be guarded against distractions that would cause me to lose focus on You and Your promise. Help me to be guarded against lies that would cause me to doubt You and Your promise. And help me to be guarded against discouragement that would tell me that I am not worthy of You and Your promises. I am never alone. You are with me every moment of every day. 

Thank You. 

In Jesus' Name, 

Amen

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Peace and Thankfulness

"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful." - Colossians 3:15

"This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him." - Psalm 18:30

"Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:5-7

Dear God, 

The more thankful I am, the more I'll be able to feel Your peace. And the more peaceful I am, the more thankful I'll be. Please guard my heart and mind with Your peace. It is very troubled right now. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name, 

Amen

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

More than Anything

"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of kGod in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 8:38-39

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding." - Proverbs 3:5

"But the Lord has become my stronghold, and my God the rock of my refuge." - Psalm 94:22

Dear God,

You are always watching over me. No matter what I am doing, no matter what I am going through, no matter how alone I may feel, You are with me because You love me. Nothing can separate me from You. God, how I need You right now. Life keeps throwing me brick after brick. It's not even throwing lemons I can turn into lemonade anymore. It's throwing bricks. Of course, I guess I could build a house with the bricks. God, please help me.

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Sunday, February 12, 2017

Rest and Hope

"For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken." - Psalm 62:5-6

Of Benjamin he said, "The beloved of the Lord dwells in safety. The High God surrounds him all day long, and dwells between his shoulders." - Deuteronomy 33:12

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." - Hebrews 13:8

"Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you." - Psalm 33:22

Dear God, 

I need rest. I need relief from the worry and fear about the future. Will I still have access to healthcare I need like what I enjoy now? Hope can turn the impossible into the possible simply by trusting You. My life is constantly changing but You remain the same. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name, 

Amen

You'll Never Lose Me

"Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you." - Deuteronomy 31:6

We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; bu truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything. - II Corinthians 6:3-10

"Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory." - Psalm 73:23-24

Dear God, 

I can lose everything but I will still always have You.

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name, 

Amen

Saturday, February 11, 2017

It Is I

But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid." - Matthew 14:27

And after the earthquake was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. - I Kings 19:12

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. - Isaiah 9:6

You will seek me and find me. When you seek me with all your heart, I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you form all the nation's and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile. - Jeremiah 29:13-14

Dear God, 

Calm my mind please so that I can concentrate on hearing Your voice. Thank You for always being there even when I cannot feel You there.

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name, 

Amen

Friday, February 10, 2017

Even on Bad Days

"Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" - Psalm 46:10 

Other translation: "Be still and know that I am God. I will be praised in all the nation's. I will be praised throughout the earth." - Psalm 46:10

"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." - Numbers 6:24-26

"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." - I Peter 5:8

"In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming a darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak." - Ephesians 6:16-20

Other translation focal verse: Use the shield of faith. With that you can stop all the burning arrows of the Evil One. - Ephesians 6:16 

Dear God, 

Today is a tough day and very bad things are about to happen as a result. The least of these are no longer safe in this country. It is hard to be happy. It is hard to stay happy. And I would much rather try to believe the best and hope for the best than be scared and expect the worst, but I do need to brace myself for the worst. God, please show me the good in this evil that is overtaking America. The devil is my enemy because I love and follow You. He wants to deceive me and tell me that wrong is right and right is wrong. And his voice is loud! But I need to be careful and sue the shield of faith so I can stop all of the burning arrows he shoots at me. The devil wants me to think that I am not Yours and that there is no joy. I refuse to pay the devil any attention. I belong to You. You love me. You can give me happiness even on bad days. Help me to never lose focus on that.

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name, 

Amen

Thursday, February 9, 2017

My Mighty Hand

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." - I Peter 5:6-7

"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" - Micah 6:8

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." - James 4:6

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. - James 4:10

Dear God, 

You want me to be humble under Your mighty hand and to trust Your work in my life. God, I am struggling with that as we watch yet another very evil man, Jeff Sessions, who has stood openly opposed to the laws that help the disabled and openly opposed to veteran's healthcare funding. I am watching America get destroyed. And I am seeing this after having just gotten out of the hospital for an overnight IV antibiotic treatment to combat a couple of serious infections. And this coming at a time when the republicans are bent on destroying the ACA which would cause 200 million people to lose protections they now benefit from with some 180 million not getting coverage through the marketplace.  God, please show Yourself in a might way. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name, 

Amen


Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Be Brave!

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." - Joshua 1:9

But Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." - Matthew 19:26

"The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." - Lamentations 3:25-26

Dear God,

You want me to be strong and brave and to not be afraid. You will be with me everywhere I go. I can be strong and brave even when I am feeling very weak. You are always with me and for me. Help me to not get discouraged even though it seems everything is going wrong. For You all things are possible. You will always answer my prayers. You are good to those who put their hope in You. You are good to those who look to You for help.

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

You Are Mine

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." - I Peter 2:9

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved." - Ephesians 1:3-6

"Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." - Psalm 37:4

Dear God,

I belong to You. You chose me and called me out of darkness into Your wonderful light. My connection to You will protect me from feeling alone or lost in this world. I don't have to rely on hurtful people or harmful things. You are the one who will never leave me. You chose me before the world was made. You rescued me from the darkness of sin. Help me to have the courage to share You with others.

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Monday, February 6, 2017

A Crown for You

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's." - Psalm 103:1-5

Thus says the Lord: "The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness; when Israel sought for rest, the Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you." - Jeremiah 31:2-3

"Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us." - Psalm 62:8

Dear God,

You have a crown for me that is better than any crown that man could ever fashion because the crown You have for me is one of love and mercy. I depend on the blessings of love and mercy and You delight in giving them to me. I just need to admit how much I need You. There is no limit to what You can do for me. Your love is a gift. Your love will last forever. And You give me tender mercy again and again. I will make mistakes but You will forgive me when I come to You. I am Yours, the child of the King. You bought me with Your own blood. And You crown me with Your love and mercy. Today, I hang on to these promises as I have to go to clinic and possibly ER because of pain and fever. I ask that You continue to work on my behalf to make sure the republicans don't screw up my access to healthcare and medicine I need. I ask that You continue to provide.

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Sunday, February 5, 2017

I Am Mighty!

"The Lord your God is in your midst, aa mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." - Zephaniah 3:17

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." - II Corinthians 12:9

"Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to resent you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen." - Jude 24-25

Dear God, 

You are with me. You are mighty. You are at the center of me. Your power in me is made perfect when I am weak. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name, 

Amen


Saturday, February 4, 2017

Seasons

"For the Lord will not cast off forever, but, though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; for he does not willingly afflict or grieve the children of man." - Lamentations 3:31-33

Other translation focal verse: Although the Lord brings sorrow, he also has mercy. His love is great. - Lamentations 3:32

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: ..." - Ecclesiastes 3:1

"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." - Numbers 6:24-26

Other translation focal verse: May the Lord show you his kindness. May he have mercy on you. - Numbers 6:25

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him."  - Lamentations 3:22-24

Dear God, 

My life has seasons just as the earth has seasons. But the seasons of my life are harder to predict as they do not necessarily have a calendar marking them. Joy and happiness, sorrow and sadness. There so a right time for everything. Sadness. Seasons of sadness. They stink. They bring me down. But they are the times when I do feel the most discouraged and the most let down. Even when I anticipate they will occur. Help me to look for signs of Your presence when I am hurting. I have seen I the rainbow in the sky that you tend to place when I am going through the season of sadness. Your love and mercy are new every morning. Oh God, I place everything in Your hands right now. You know my needs and my fears and my anxieties and my frustrations. Please fill those areas and take the reins. Please continue to fight for me.

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name, 

Amen

Friday, February 3, 2017

I Am with You Always

"Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. My soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember you from the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar." - Psalm 42:5-6

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching the, to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." - Matthew 28:19-20

"You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask." - James 4:2

Dear God, 

You are with me now and forever. Right now, I feel some distance because I am struggling to see how You are with me due to the worsening Trump disaster. Yesterday, the republicans just voted to roll back expanded access to mental healthcare under the ACA which they are trying to destroy despite the fact that they claim to be "prolife." They voted to allow those deemed mentally incompetent to own guns. And this is not safe at all. Help me God to ember that You are still there with me even while these insane things are happening. You created everything in this world. God, I need You to show Yourself in a huge way. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name, 

Amen

Thursday, February 2, 2017

Let Me Fight for You

"The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent." - Exodus 14:14

"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nation's, I will be exalted in the earth!" - Psalm 46:10

"To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace." - Romans 8:6

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty." - Psalm 91:1

Dear God, 

You will fight for me. I just have to stay calm. Whoa! That is a HARD one. I cannot fix this problem by myself. Most of us feel powerless to fix this problem. And we are terrified for our lives here. Please God, Trump is Your responsibility. He has violated his oath. Do what You will. While I can try to advocate for those who are the most vulnerable, I cannot reason with those who have been blinded by him. He is cunning like the devil in that way. I wish I could reconcile that one friendship, but a you are right that I need to sit back and let You take the reins with that even. We have a few break throughs here and there though and that's pretty cool, but You have to be the one that opens that door. I need to stop struggling and stop fighting through the trouble. I need to let You fight for me. So here You go. Please take on my battles that are beyond my control. It's not easy! Calm my thoughts. Help me to trust that You are fighting for me.

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name, 

Amen

P.S. Please help the other countries that Trump has insulted to know that over half of the Americans do NOT support him and that he is illegitimate. So we are on their side. Not his.

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Your Journey

(This he said to show them by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, "Follow me." - John 21:19

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." Psalm 23:1

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." - Psalm 23:4

"For it is you who light my lamp; the Lord my God lightens my darkness." - Psalm 18:28

Dear God,

Get me out of this forest! The rocks on the mountains are already bad enough! I have been bullied and harassed today. I have spoken up on behalf of the least of these today and have been bullied because of it. I have had someone try to lecture me for standing up against bullies trying to imply that I must not be a Christian because of my defending the least of these and defending myself against the bullies. God, I am losing hope in humanity with each new day of the Trump disaster which gets worse by the hour now. Where are You? Shine Your light boldly now please. Shield us from the hurt that he would bring us. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name, 

Amen