Sunday, April 30, 2017

My Master Plan

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

"For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering." - Hebrews 2:10

"For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." - II Corinthians 4:17-18

Dear God,

I should trust You with all my heart. Today is not starting on a good note, God. I need You for sure. This world is broken indeed! God, I ask You right now to keep intervening with regard to healthcare for the least of these. The republican monsters are relentless little devils. They keep attacking it. They have nothing better for us. And they keep trying to make it worse. I am afraid. So please keep intervening.

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Saturday, April 29, 2017

Brighten the Darkness

"For you are my lamp, O Lord, and my God lightens my darkness." - II Samuel 22:29

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." - John 8:12

"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

"And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." - Luke 1:76-79

Dear God, 

You are the light of the world and will brighten the darkness around me. You are with me and within me. You have defeated the world. You will guide me down the path to peace. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name, 

Amen


Friday, April 28, 2017

The Higher You Climb

And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. - Matthew 17:1-2

"God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places." - Habakkuk 3:19

"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

Dear God, 

This mountain of life, this winding mountain with all its edges and rocky terrain, I am glad to be climbing with You. Help me to never give up. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name, 

Amen


Thursday, April 27, 2017

Your Living God

"By day the Lord commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life." - Psalm 42:8

"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world." - I Peter 5:8-9

"My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will song for joy. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me." - Psalm 63:5-8

Dear God, 

You are in charge of everything in my life. You are my living God. I have no human response appropriate enough for You. Help me to be watchful of the devil lurking about.

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Watch and See

"Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him." - Isaiah 40:10

"And in the very place where it was said to them, 'You are not my people,' there they will be called 'sons of the living God.'" - Romans 9:20

"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

Dear God,

You want me to live with joy. You want me to have that joy even in the struggles I will have. You are Lord and You are in control. You are taking care of me. God, the republican monsters are at it again with an even worse set of things they want instead of the ACA. These things are not good things. You have promised to take care of Your children, the least of these. You are in control. I cannot pray specifically enough so what I ask is that You continue to intervene. That You continue to make sure that the least of these, that Your children, have what they need when it comes to resources and healthcare. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Count on Me

"I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made the heavens and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber." - Psalm 121:1-3

"Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord." - Psalm 32:10

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

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." - John 14:27

Dear God, 

You are all around me. You know everything happening in my life. You know every thought and every feeling. You hear every prayer. You keep me in Your thoughts. I need to keep You in my thoughts. You are with me every moment in my life. You watch over me with Your perfect love. Your love surrounds those who trust You. You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. You never change. I can always count on You. God, help me!

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name, 

Amen


Monday, April 24, 2017

A Mystery

"Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways ,y ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are hire than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." - Isaiah 55:6-9

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

And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. - Genesis 1:3

And God said, "Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear." And it was so. - Genesis 1:9

Dear God, 

Your ways are higher than my ways. Your thoughts are higher than my thoughts. You are a mystery who loves me and died to save me. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen


Sunday, April 23, 2017

Shine Like a Star

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." - John 1:5

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

"Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain."- Philippians 2:14-16

Dear God, 

You are the light that shines in the darkness. The darkness will never overpower Your light. Right now, I am struggling to see Your light. God, I am troubled. I am broken. I am weak. Medical issues. Emotional issues have surfaced. Anxieties because of the republican monsters who are still trying to destroy healthcare I need. Anxieties with regard to physical therapy. Anxieties with regard to social skills stuff. God, I can no longer fake it until I make it. I am broken! Help me! 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name, 

Amen


Saturday, April 22, 2017

Because of My Hope...

"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

"...but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities,..." - II Corinthians 6:4

"...as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothin, yet possessing everything." - II Corinthians 6:10

"Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name." - Hebrews 13:15

Dear God, 

I need to put my hope in You. I need to praise You. You are my Savior and God. I'm feeling very down right now. I am discouraged. I am sad. And I am not sure of my hope in You. God, with the healthcare issue, we need Your intervention. They have come after the least of these this time. And that's not good. They are now threatening a shutdown again that would hurt veterans and their families. That's not good. Please, God, intervene.

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name, 

Amen


Friday, April 21, 2017

You Make Me Happy!

"The Lord your God is in your midst, a 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

You have said, "Seek my face." My heart says to you, "Your face, Lord, do I seek." - Psalm 27:8

"The Lord bless 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

Dear God, 

I make You happy.?. Sometimes I feel like a complete and utter failure, God! Your word says You sing over me. That You rejoice over me. That You quiet me with Your love. Overwhelming.

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name, 

Amen


Thursday, April 20, 2017

Perfectly Loved

"Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine." - Psalm 33:18-19

"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

"Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all." - II Thessalonians 3:16

Dear God, 

Your love is perfect. Your love never fails. Nothing can ever separate me from Your love. You watch over those who put their hope in Your love. I will have problems, but You will always be with me, and I will always be perfectly loved. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen


Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Joy for All Times

"The Lord has done great things for us, we are glad." - Psalm 126:3

"The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath aren't he everlasting arms. And he thrust out the enemy before you and said, Destroy." - Deuteronomy 33:27

"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 from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will ring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile." - Jeremiah 29:13-14

"In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls." - I Peter 1:6-9

Dear God, 

You have done great things for me. One of the greatest things You have done for me is to get the ACA passed through despite the challenges the republicans have cared with it. Because the ACA works despite the many headaches with insurance companies and it has saved my life many times over now. As a result of this, I know that YOU WILL continue to intervene on my behalf against the evils of the republicans when it comes to the matter of healthcare for the least of these like me. I know YOU WILL intervene to make sure veterans like my mother do not see delays or reductions in their benefits over the fight the republicans have insisted on continuing with regard to the ACA. God, thinking on this area, help me to have more of Your joy. I am searching for You. Help me find You. God, give me the courage I need when we go to the town hall tomorrow night (and we will make it in this time), but give me the courage and wisdom I need to confront Palmer on the matter of the healthcare issues with this country for people like me. H.R. 676 is both morally and economically sound and if Palmer really had the best interests of Americans in his heart, he would take it up and run with it. God, I ask all these things in Your name. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name, 

Amen

Tuesday, April 18, 2017

On Holy Ground

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." - Matthew 11:28-29

And Moses said, I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned." When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, "Moses! Moses!" And he said, "Here I am." Then he said, "Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground." - Exodus 3:3-5

"For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him." - Psalm 62:5

Dear God, 

My mind is restless. It makes me exhausted. Please slow my racing thoughts. Thank You for giving me true hope.

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen


Monday, April 17, 2017

The Climb

"God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places." - Habakkuk 3:19

"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

In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!" - Isaiah 6:1-3

Dear God,

Life can be like climbing a mountain! There are so many different paths to choose. While it may seem impossible to climb this mountain of life, You are always with me holding my hand to guide me and lead me safely on the steep mountains. It is both easy and hard. You have gifts for me along the way. These gifts are to remind me that You are with me.

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Sunday, April 16, 2017

Keep Holding On

"So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us." - Hebrews 6:17-18

"Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are k this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained." - Philippians 3:13-16

"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." - Galatians 2:20

Dear God,

I am Yours. Therefore, the hope and promise of heaven belongs to me. I just need to hold on to this hope that You have given me. I need to let this hope make me strong. God, how fitting that this message is coming to me on Easter! Help me to keep holding on, God.

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Saturday, April 15, 2017

I Am Big Enough!

"She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us). - Matthew 1:21-23

"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

"Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produced of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation." - Habakkuk 3:17-18

Dear God,

You are big enough to take care of me. You will be with me always. You are my Savior.

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen


Friday, April 14, 2017

Putting Down the Pebbles

"Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God's house." - Hebrews 3:1-2

"He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord." - Psalm 33:5

"By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible." - Hebrews 11:27

"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." - Psalm 16:11

Dear God,

Help me to look past my problems to see You in the midst. Help me to put down the pebbles so I can see the ocean.

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen



Thursday, April 13, 2017

More Like Me

"More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." - Romans 5:3-5

"If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you." - John 14:15-17

"I can do all things through him who strengthens me." - Philippians 4:13

Dear God,

I can have joy with my troubles because I know that these troubles produce patience which produces character which produces hope. Your way is different from the world's way which says that I cannot be joyful in times of trouble. Your ways take time. God, please make sure to continue Your ways with Your promises for the least of these with regard to healthcare.

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen


Wednesday, April 12, 2017

I Will Give You Victory

"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

"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

And he said, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." - Exodus 33:14

"But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me." - Micah 7:7

Dear God,

You are taking care of me. You are loving me and are working in my life even when it seems that my day keeps going from bad to worse. Your love is always perfect and always mine, even when I make mistakes. Please forgive me when I fall. You will give me victory.

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen


Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Your God and Your Guide

"We have thought on your steadfast love, O God, in the midst of your temple. As your name, O God, so your praise reaches to the ends of the earth. Your right hand is filled with righteousness." - Psalm 48:9-10

"Walk about Zion, go around her, number her towers, consider well her ramparts, go through her citadels, that you may tell the next generation that this is God, our God forever and ever. He will guide us forever." - Psalm 48:12-14

Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, "Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it." - Genesis 28:16

"Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." - Philippians 4:5-6

Dear God,

Your love for me never fails. You are my God forever and ever and You will guide me from now on. You are here in this place with me.

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen


Monday, April 10, 2017

Ugly Thoughts and Things

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

"This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them." -  Psalm 34:6-7

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

Dear God,

The ugliness of what is happening in this world, the ugliness coming from the Republican Party with regard to the least of these and healthcare for the disabled is tiresome. It is frustrating. I can choose what to think about. Please help me. Show me Your light and Your love. If I am thinking about last mistakes, help me to move on. Forgive me. And help me to forgive myself. Those ugly thoughts sure do like to sneak up on me! God, You have control. Show Yourself. Intervene on behalf of the least of these. Do not let the republicans throw them off comprehensive insurance plans. Do not let them hurt the least of these.

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Sunday, April 9, 2017

Good Plans

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." - Jeremiah 29:11

"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

For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." - II Corinthians 4:6

Dear God,

You have good plans for me. You plan to give me hope and a future. Heaven is an amazing promise in the future. Glimpses of heaven today are also amazing.

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen


Saturday, April 8, 2017

Fuel for You

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9

"He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord." - Psalm 33:5

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice." - Philippians 4:4

"For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me." - Colossians 1:29

"Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 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 4:15-16

Dear God,

Your love will never fail me. It is my fuel and the best source of energy for me. Your love will never run out. Your love will help keep me going and to keep doing the right things.

Thank you.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen


Friday, April 7, 2017

Hold on to Me

"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

And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." - Matthew 28:18

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them, and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." - Matthew 18:1-3

Dear God,

You care for me. You are always thinking about me and watching over me. You never forget about me. I am only human and I do sometimes forget You when I am feeling weak or tired or scared. I should forgive myself when that happens instead of beating myself up for it. I need to give all my worries to You. You can help me because all power in heaven and on earth is given to You. God, I release to You my worries and fears about the testing I need to undergo today. I release to You my worries and fears about what the republicans are trying to do to destroy healthcare. I am Your child. You are sovereign. Your providence will reign in this situation. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen


Thursday, April 6, 2017

A Great Adventure

"The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law." - Deuteronomy 29:29

"For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone." - Psalm 91:11-12

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." - I Thessalonians 5:16-18

"The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." - Proverbs 16:9

Dear God,

I am on a great adventure with You. It will not always go smoothly, but it will be good. There will be both blessings and struggles. I need to be willing to try new things with You. You will give me everything I need for the journey. I need to keep praying as I make decisions about this journey. You will help make good choices. God, help me to always remember this as I move further into advocacy on the healthcare issue in this country. Help me to never be afraid and to always follow Your guidance.

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen


Wednesday, April 5, 2017

I Never Vanish

"May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace!" - Psalm 29:11

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." - John 14:27

"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:7

Dear God,

You give strength to Your people. You bless Your people with peace. Your people are all those who trust You as Savior and God. When I do feel tired and weak, I should not worry whether or not I can handle everything I am facing. Instead, I should look to You for strength and peace. Your peace doesn't depend on what happens in this world. Your peace is always there in good and bad times.

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen


Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Live the Life

"Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which Go Dias called him. This is my role in all the churches."- I Corinthians 7:17

"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 

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! "For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?" "Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?" For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. - Romans 11:33-36

Dear God, 

It is hard to live the life You have given me to live when I have republican monsters attempting to snuff out my life over the healthcare issue. I want to be content living the life You have given me, but it is increasingly difficult each and every day as they threaten to steal the quality of life. I am happy with the ACA. It has allowed me to live a more quality life despite the medical conditions You have allowed me to go through. I am not comparing what I have to what someone else has. I am too busy fighting just to have equality. I don't have any regrets with any of the challenges You have allowed to go through - not the autism, not the immune deficiency, and not the mastocytosis. I would be amiss though if I did not fight for equality not only for me but for others like me. No, this life is not easy. You promise to make sure I have everything I need to live it fully though, so if that means having equality in healthcare whether through universal care or through the comprehensive insurance the ACA allows, then I know You will fulfill that promise and You will not allow the republicans to destroy that. And You will help me find joy and happiness. I have to choose to be content and I have to look for You. Right now, I am not only looking for You, but I am looking to You. I can hope for a better future and I do. But I also trust Your plan for me will be worked out even though I may not understand it. God, help me to remain joyful despite of the threats from the republicans. And guide me through as I continue to advocate, even in opposition of the republicans, for those like me who need healthcare to have quality of life to the lives You have given each of us.

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Sunday, April 2, 2017

Your Shield and Your Shepherd

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.- II Samuel 22:31

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in oaths of righteousness for his name's sake. 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 23:1-4

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep." - John 10:11

"I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father, and I lay down my life for the sheep." - John 10:14-15

Dear God, 

You are a shield to those who trust You. You will shield me from danger and fear. You are my Sheoherd. You always watch over me. You will make sure I have everything I need. You are taking care of me. God, please keep close watch over the least of these as those monster republicans yet again attack the ACA, SNAP, and now even social security. There is not a safety net they haven't attacked this year. Please intervene and protect the least of these who rely on those safety nets. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen


Live in My Light

"Blessed are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face, who exult in your name all the day and in your righteousness are exalted." - Psalm 89:15-16

"Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." - Philippians 2:9-11

"I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels." - Isaiah 61:10

Dear God, 

The world really is getting darker and darker. It seems it has been at its darkest since that illegitimate monster Trump stole the White House. The light of Your presence is still bright. I want to see Your goodness crash against the darkness! We need more miracles! Please show Your power and might and goodness in this world. Rejoice in Your name no matter what is happening. This is not an easy task. The power of Your name covers me in Your righteousness and salvation. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name, 

Amen


Saturday, April 1, 2017

Always Be Happy

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." - I Thessalonians 5:16-18

"It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." - Deuteronomy 31:8

"With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes!" - Psalm 119:10-12

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

Dear God, 

I acknowledge my need for You. And I want the happiness that comes from knowing You. I want the happiness that comes from being with You.

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen