Thank You so much for being with us yesterday, Father. Your comforting presence made all the difference at the funeral, graveside service and the meal and fellowship afterward. I would pray that Your love would permeate the hearts and minds of all present – both Your followers and those who have yet chosen to do so. Amen

In my praying this morning, Lord, You have led me back to a journal entry from October 2015. I believe it bears repeating for it is still my prayer today. (Oh, and this is still the best picture!)

As I sit here in contemplation, young Samuel’s response comes to mind as he answered Your call, Lord, in the Israelite tabernacle of old. “Speak, your servant is listening.” 1 Samuel 3:10 Help me to be receptive to Your call on me this day. I, Your servant, am listening.

It’s hard to wrap my mind around it but I cling to the fact that You chose and loved me even before the creation of the world (Ephesians 1:4) And You chose me to be holy and blameless. You saved me not because I deserved it but to make Your grace known. You “broke the power of death and illuminated the way of life and immortality through the Good News.” 2 Timothy 1:10

We like to think that we got to where we are all on our own but there is no truth in that. At least in our culture, it’s all about “me”. “I” got me to where I am, “I” don’t need anyone else. Me, myself and I will get through just fine. But if we really, down deep, look at it, we realize it’s the farthest thing from the truth.

My only means of fulfillment on this speck of dust in the universe, my only means of security in the fact that there is life beyond the threshold of death, is found solely in You. Because of Your unfathomable sacrifice, I have true life, now and for all eternity.

Lord, You love me and You have my best interests in mind. Help me, every moment of every day, to strive for holiness – to become more like You with every breath I take. Fill me with Your presence. Use me to shine Your light into the darkness of this world. May I be attentive to You. “Speak, your servant is listening.”

Oct 23rd, 2015, Fri, 6:42 am

Apr 30th, 2017, Sun, 6:09 am