Father, I plead of You help me to never grow weary of our time together! May it always be refreshing, fulfilling, encouraging and inspirational.  As the years go by may I collect many journals and when I look back please let me see what I have matured and changed for the better because You have continues to work in my life. May my passion and desire for relationship with You only broaden, deepen as the days and months roll by! As the old hymn goes…

Deeper, deeper in the love of Jesus
Daily let me go;
Higher, higher in the school of wisdom
More of grace to know
O deeper yet, I pray
And higher every day
And wiser, blessed Lord,
In thy precious, holy Word.

– Charles P Jones, 1900
AMEN!

Colossians 4:7-18 (<<click here)

Paul’s closing of his letter to Colosse is full of encouragement. Even though he was imprisoned he was surrounded by many faithful friends who mutually supported each other and lifted up the Church. Lord, help me to continue to surround myself with those who would lift up Your kingdom, as well as, myself. And help me do the same for Your kingdom and them. Love, and sometimes tough love, should permeate it all. With You infilling us all, we are to encourage one another to keep the faith. We are to fervently persevere in prayer for one another. Being a hermit may work for a few but we are called a body for a reason – to work together, weak and strong, to build Your kingdom. Please give us wisdom and strength and patience and courage. And Your love must saturate it all – too much damage can be done without it. The love with which You infill us is a multiplier – without it division is inevitable. Help me, Lord, help us, Lord to be filled with You and to be about Your business.

July 5th, Sun, 6:09 am