Friday, February 27, 2015

The Right Path - Follow God

Psalm 119:105 - Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. 

John 21:22 - Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!"

Dear God, I want to follow You and only You on whatever path You choose to lead me. No two people will have the exact same path or journey, and that is good. We may cross paths, but we will never be on the same exact path. Thank You that I am never alone even when I may feel alone. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

Stop the Judging

Proverbs 3:11-12 - My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of his re proof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.

Isaiah 61:10 - 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.

Luke 6:37-38 - "Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you."

Dear God, sinner saved by grace. That is all I need to see myself as. A sinner saved by grace. Sure, I have autism and sure, I get frustrated when I do not live up to others' unrealistic expectations of me, but I am a sinner saved by grace and only need to be concerned with what You think of me. Mikki and Mark tried to change me to what and who they thought I should be. Tom tried to force change when the one who really needed to change was him. He was less forceful though. Ginny was the only person other than my mom that accepted me for me. But even they are not as important as You. Your opinion of me is that I am Your child, and that Your Son paid my ransom so I can be free to be me, who. You created me to be. Anyone who sees me differently needs to look at their own reflection. Stop judging myself. That is a little harder, but so true. Do I look like someone else? Do I act or talk like them? No? Does it matter? Not really. You did not create us all to be exactly alike. The spectrum of Your creation is as beautiful and mysterious as the spectrum of autism. Thank You for the beauty of differences. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

Keep Your Eyes on God!

Psalm 73:23 - Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.

I Corinthians 10:13 - No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Dear God, forgive me when I am tempted by the worries of tomorrow. Help me to remember to focus only on the now. Right here and right now. Trusting You to carry me through whatever may happen. Right here and right now. Live for today. Not for tomorrow. For only You know what tomorrow will bring. Thank You. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

Thursday, February 26, 2015

God Is Leading Step By Step

Deuteronomy 29:29 - "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."

Psalm 32:8 - I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

Dear God, I am sorry for the times that I worry about the future, or the things that are secret to me. I am sorry that I do not always trust You enough with those secret things. Help me when I fall and lead me through the journey. Thank You. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

In Everything Give Thanks

Colossians 4:2 - Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

I Thessalonians 5:18 - ...give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Dear God, thank You for caring about me and loving me. Thank You for the blessings I know about and those that I do not know about. Thank You for enabling me to be a voice for those who have none. Help me to not be in a rush to start my days, but to take them one step at a time. Thank You. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Limitless Love

I Corinthians 13:12 - For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I now in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

Ephesians 3:14-19 - For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith–that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Dear God, thank You for love so overwhelming. Limitless power and love. Unconditional. Eternal. I look forward to eternity with that love. Thank You. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

Sunday, February 22, 2015

Beware of Self-Pity

Psalm 89:15-16 - 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.

Hebrews 12:1-2 - Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Dear God, yet again I pray You help me to remember to seek You when faced with troubles as opposed to feeling despair. I would rather be on guard than fall into a pit that is near impossible to dig back out of. Thank You. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

Need for His Presence

John 16:24 - "Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full."

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

Dear God, help me to not fall into despair when I face problems. Help me instead to remember to seek You and depend upon You for everything. Thank You. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

Saturday, February 21, 2015

Trust and Thankfulness Keep You Safe

Psalm 141:8 - But my eyes are toward you, O God, my Lord; in you I seek refuge; leave me not defenseless! 

Colossians 2:6-7 - Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

I Peter 5:6-7 - 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. 

Dear God, trust, the protection against worrying and obsessing. Thankfulness, the protection against criticizing and complaining. Sister sins waiting to entangle me. Keeping my eyes on You means I am trusting You. I choose to trust You. Right now. Right here. On this very day. In this very hour. I choose to trust You every day. For the rest of my life. Trust is hard. It is not easy. Especially after having it shattered by the ones who were supposed to be the most trustworthy. Abusive parent. Misleading pastor. But, God, as hard as it may be, I am trusting You. Thank You. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

God the True Center of You

Colossians 1:27 - To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

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

Dear God, riches. Glory. Peace. Thankful. Christ in me. Christ. The hope of glory. Hope. Mystery. The world has no peace. But I can have peace in You through Christ at the center of my life. Thank You. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

Heavy Problems?

Exodus 3:14 - God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And he said, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'"

Habakkuk 3:17-19 - Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce 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 it will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places.

Dear God, oh how my problems do pale in comparison to the light of Your presence! Help me to always remember that. Thank You. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

Safety Net

Psalm 73:23-26 - 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. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. 

Zephaniah 3:17 - The Lord your God is on 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.

Dear God, thank You for always being with Me even when I do not feel Your presence. Thank You for never letting me fall further than You will allow. Thank You for holding my hand and for guiding me. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

Idol of Routine

Matthew 28:5-7 - But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for it know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you."

II Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is on Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Dear God, the idol of routine is safe, but is against Your plan. I am a new creation in You, created by You, for You, exactly how You wanted me to be. I do not want to be afraid of what you have in store for me each day. Thank You for molding me. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

Monday, February 16, 2015

His Grace Is Sufficient

Isaiah 30:15 - For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, "In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength." ........

Zechariah 2:13 - Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord, for he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.

II Corinthians 12:9 - But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Dear God, I want to live so close to You that I no longer see my physical weaknesses as limiting. Your grace is sufficient for me. May it be so sufficient that your owner truly is made perfect and I boast all the more gladly. Thank You. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Nothing Is Impossible With God

Psalm 23:1-4 - A Psalm of David. 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 paths 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.

Luke 1:37 - For nothing will be impossible with God.

Ephesians 3:20-21 - Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Dear God, lead me to Your will through Your will. Work what seems impossible in my life. Lead me beside the still waters and restore my soul. Comfort me in my times of need. Thank You. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Confident in the Lord

Isaiah 41:13 - For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, "Fear not, I am the one who helps you."

Hebrews 12:1-2 - Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the of under and the perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of. God.

Dear God, thank You for holding my hand through this life that can seem so scary. Help to keep trusting You even as the problems come my way. Thank You. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

Peace Be with You

John 14:27 - "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 20:19-21 - On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you."

Dear God, thank You for peace that is able to withstand all that life throws at me. Thank You for allowing Your Son to die so that I can experience that peace. In Jesu' Name, Amen!

God With Us

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

Matthew 1:23 - "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us). 

Dear God, You are with me. All the time. You care about what I think. While others may be cold and bitter, You are not. Thank You for giving me the desires of my heart even when I may not know what they are. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

Peace Like a Light in the Dark

John 1:4-5 - In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 

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

Dear God, help me to never grow weary or lose heart as I battle it out with the darkness of this world. Thank You. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Ample Time with God

Psalm 32:8 - I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

Luke 10:41-42 - But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her." 

Dear God, help me to trust You enough that I spend more than enough time with You so that whatever I do has more kingdom value as a result of the richness of the time I spend with You. I would rather do less than others knowing that what I do is more meaningful than do more knowing that what I do might not be as good a quality. Quality not quantity. Thank You. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Seek God's Face

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

Isaiah 12:2 - "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation."

II Corinthians 4:7 - But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 

Dear God, I seek Your face during this restless time in my life filled with testing. I seek You, the treasure of You. Thank You. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

God Is Above All Things

Matthew 14:28-32 - And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.

Ephesians 2:4-7 - But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ–by grace you have been saved–and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 

Dear God, thank You for meeting me where I am even in the midst of my weaknesses. Thank You for being over everything, above everything. Thank You for mercy and grace. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

Friday, February 6, 2015

God Will Work Everything Together for Good

Psalm 42:11 - 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.

Romans 8:28 - And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Dear God, help me remain strong against the world and the flesh and the devil. Help me refresh in Your presence and allow You to work things together for my good. Thank You. In Jesus' Name, Amen! 

Come to God and Rest

Matthew 11:28-29 - "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."

I Timothy 2:8-10 - I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness–with good works.

Dear God, I am coming to You to rest in Your presence. I thank You for the life and joy and peace You give me even in the most difficult of times. Thank You. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

Thursday, February 5, 2015

Seek God's Face

Psalm 46:1-3 - God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

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

Romans 8:6 (NIV) - The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.

Dear God,  I seek Your face today. I need peace today. As hard as it is to trust You, I am choosing to do right now. My lungs need help right now. And we need results from the upcoming tests I am having done this month. Thank You. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Accept Things the Way They Are

Numbers 6:24-26 - 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.

Psalm 13:5 - But I have trusted on your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.

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

Dear God, accept myself and my circumstances. It can be hard especially when others refuse to accept me as I am. You clearly created me to have autism, and that will never change. It is part of me. It infuriates me that anyone ever thought otherwise. It infuriates me that there are people out there who refuse to accept me as I am. Yet they expect me to accept them as they are. I am not going to wear myself out over it though. I am going to resolve to stay close to You and trust You to get me through this day and those that follow. Thank You. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

Sunday, February 1, 2015

God Is With You and For You

Genesis 16:13-14 - So she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, "You are a God of seeing," for she said, "Truly here I have seen him who looks after me." Therefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi; it lies between Kadesh and Bered. 

Romans 8:31 - What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 

II Corinthians 4:17-18 - 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. Fit the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 

Dear God, help me keep my eyes fixed on You rather than the problems of this world. Thank You for being FOR me. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

Renew Your Mind

Psalm 105:4 - Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!

Romans 12:2 - Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romas 12:2 (NIV) - So not be conformed any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and oppose what God's will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Dear God, help me each day to have a transformed and renewed mind as opposed to one that is stuck. Help me focus on You. Thank You. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

One Step at a Time

Psalm 18:29 - For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall.

Psalm 18:29 (NIV) - With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall.

Psalm 91:11-12 - For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. 

II Corinthians 5:6-7 - 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. 

Dear God, one step at a time. That is all I can do. One step at a time. Not rushing. Not trying to get ahead and then faltering. But one step at a time following You. Not focused on what is ahead but what is here and now. Help me God. Thank You. In Jesus' Name, Amen!