Father, I am grateful that You care about me. Most every morning You gently wake me up to spend some time with You – before my day gets rolling. Some days are easier than others. This one’s a little tough. Yesterday was wonderful Your presence in both services, a very enjoyable day with Karen! But even on good days – wonderful days – my mind can tangent! Thoughts of anger, superiority, frustration, lust, gossip, selfishness, pride – they all traipse through my mind. Sin is always around the fringes of my mind, ready to trip me up, pull me down. Many times – most times – thanks to You, Father, they flit into my mind and are gone. But sometimes I linger just a little too long… forgive me, Father. Continue to fortify my defenses, help me to wield my “shield of faith” (Ephesians 6:16) as I ought to. Give me Your strength and fortitude – I fail in my weakness but I am strong in You.
1 Thessalonians 2:13 (<<click here)
Lord, what would I do without Your Word? As I shared with a friend recently what we fill our minds with affects what shows on the outside. Luke 6:45 speaks of storing up good things in our hearts. “for the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” Lord, help me to store up Your Word for as Paul says to the Thessalonians “this word continues to work in [we] who believe.” Of course, the Bible is our main tangible source but You also use devotionals and speakers. You use music. You use periodicals and blogs and Facebook posts. Help me to fill my mind with the good. And please help me to be wary of the bad in close proximity – to throw up that “shield of faith” “to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” I am strong only in You!
July 13th, 2015, Mon, 5:44 am
