Actuate Love
Your presence and watch care over me yesterday, Father, was so much appreciated it wasn’t like anything crazy almost happened – it was just a run-of-the-mill kind of day. But having You close – feeling Your love – is wonderful. May Your name be praised forever! Amen.
You have truly blessed me, Lord, with a beautiful companion. Sometimes I love her like there’s no tomorrow and try to show her that in as many ways as possible. Other days I still love her but I just take her for granted – I only think about me and for the most part ignore her needs altogether. Way too frequently, I let little things get blown out of proportion, I say things that should not be said or in ways, they should not be spoken.
Lord, as You know, we’ve had no big falling out or huge confrontation for quite some time. But as I look back over the last several days and weeks, the “love her like there’s no tomorrow” days seem to be way outnumbered by the “take her for granted” days. You know I love her and she knows I love her, Lord, but that loves needs fleshed out more.
A road sign that used to bug me was the one that said, “STOP HERE TO ACTUATE SIGNAL”. Why does it say “actuate” and not “activate”? I guess the device embedded in the pavement is actually called an “actuator” but regardless stopping at that spot causes the signal to change so I can turn.
Lord, every day may I have to stop whatever I am doing or thinking or saying and in doing so may I actuate my love for Karen. May I flesh it out. May I give it legs to move, arms to hold, lips to encourage. Enable me to not just say it, but to show it.
Feb 3rd, Fri, 6:29 am
Skin of My Teeth
Father, thank You for an absolutely beautiful day! The sun is shining and it sure cheers the soul! Thank You for the wonderful gifts of creation!
1 Peter 4:4-6 (<<click here)
We are all guilty of doing things that we shouldn’t do. At least in this physical world, there are many things for which we are never held accountable. We get away with a lot. Sometimes they are things we do, words we speak. How many times would we be in big trouble if what we thought was out there for all to see or hear? Our spouse may not know all that we are guilty of or our boss or parents or friends or children and we think we are getting away scot-free but nothing could be further from the truth.
Every thought, every deed, every word, every glance…Lord, You know every single one of them! And there will come a day when we will have to face You and we will be judged for it all. And we will all be judged. We will be held accountable for our actions. And there will be no more excuses. We will be unable to blame anyone else. It will all be on us.
Those who have believed in You will find salvation in You…but we will still be judged for what we have done or haven’t’ done. We all build on one foundation – and that is You, Lord. No other foundation can be laid. 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 tells us what will happen to the materials, with which we choose to build,
12Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. 13But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. 14If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. 15But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.
That last sentence makes me think of the phrase “by the skin of my teeth.” Of course there is no skin on my teeth but I realize that I need to be diligently working to things that will last for eternity. Material wealth, popularity are “wood, hay, or straw” and be “burned up.” Lord, when it comes time to stand before You my labors be made of “gold, silver, [and] jewels.” May what I do be worthy of Your name. Amen.
Feb 2nd, Thurs, 9:26 am
Ready to Suffer?
Father, what will this day hold? Only You know. The plan is getting things done here at home, lunch with Karen, have my phone checked out, and an 8-hour closing shift at Kohl’s before heading back home. Yes, that is the plan but only You know for sure and You know the particulars. Father, my day is Yours. May I be faithful and true to You in whatever circumstances I find myself. Amen.
1 Peter 4:1-3 (<<click here)
Lord, as I read this passage I have to honestly ask myself if I am “ready to suffer.” You suffered physical pain. The pain You suffered wasn’t punishment for wrongdoing – though that was the intent of the religious leaders of Your day. All of humanity was in debt to sin – we all owed but none, not one of us, could pay. The wages of our sin was death (Romans 6:23) – but You took on our debt and You paid it in full by Your suffering and death. When we accept Your gift of salvation that debt is eradicated and we are reconciled in our relationship with You.
You created us knowing You would have to suffer but in all honesty am I “ready to suffer” for You? I am no different than anyone else; I don’t seek out pain. If I have anything to say about it, I avoid pain and suffering. But just as truly, I believe I would take a bullet for a loved one, I would suffer for You, Lord. Because of all You’ve done for me, it’s the least I can do. Because You love me the way You do, I must stand for You. I pray for Your strength and wisdom and courage. Only You know the particulars of what my life holds. My life is Yours. May I be faithful and true to You in whatever circumstances I find myself. Amen.
Feb 1st, Wed, 6:14 am
Sleep
Waking up 30 minutes later than I like makes me think I should have stayed up when woken an hour before I try to get up. Father, I should not have second guessed Your earlier call.
Sleep. We all need it. Not getting an, over time, can wreak havoc on our body and our brain. Getting too much impacts our productivity.
Almost two years ago I began my quest to deepen my relationship with God. To do that, I needed to spend more time with Him. And for me, that meant getting up earlier – so in some instances that meant less sleep. The best time, for me, was the pre-dawn hours. In the quiet morning hours, I am quiet. The house is quiet. The road in front of the house is more quiet. I can pray. I can read. I can write. During the “quiet” time I can hear You, Lord, before the clamor of my day begins.
I have greatly benefited from these early morning rendezvous. Some days aren’t a problem whatsoever, other days (like today!) I struggle. But part of what keeps me going, Lord, is seeing the example You set while here on earth.
On many occasions, You would just stay up and would go off “to lonely places and pray.” (Luke 5:16) Mark 1:35 says, “Before daybreak…[You] got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.” You understand. You realized the importance of “alone time” with the Father. Even when You were exhausted, after a full day of teaching and healing and walking, You took the time to be alone with Your Father. Recharging Your physical battery was important but charging your spiritual battery was even more so.
The trade off, Lord is so worth it. What I glean from time spent with you sustains my life far more than that extra hour of sleep. Thank you, Jesus, for Your example. May I remain faithful – no matter the cost. Amen.
Jan 31st, Tues, 6:40 am
Cloud Cover
Father, thank You for the wake-up call and for helping me to get up, too. It is early but there is already much on my mind. I pray for a discerning spirit, Father. Help me to see through all the cloud cover to the truth. Give me Your eyes with which to see. May Your love and mercy and compassion be mine.
Lord, it has been 15 minutes and I have not written a thing. I am torn. I am uncertain of which way I should go. Part of me wants to stay with the norm. It is easier. My mind and heart see the truth, it is right there. The other part of me is struggling with the cloud cover. What is true? What is false? Fear, anger, trust, genuineness, deceit, blindness, love, hate, reality all factor in. This is not just a hypothetical situation where theology and philosophy are hashed out. It involves real people, in real life. To some, it may be an inconvenience – a frustrating bump in the road. To others, it may be a life or death circumstance – a life changing situation in which their hands are tied.
Lord, nothing is hidden from You. The Apostle John says of You, “God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all.”1 John 1:5 You pierce through the cloud cover. You, as light, pierce the darkness. May Your light rain down. May we see reality. May we discern the truth. Guide us with Your outstretched arm.
Lord, I feel compelled to write out one verse in particular (v12) but the whole passage is applicable. (Ephesians 6:10-18)
“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”
That is where the battle is! May we abide by Paul’s proclamation in verse 18, Lord, as well.
“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.”
Amen.
Jan 30th, Mon, 6:09 am