Peace in Spite of Storms
I am so grateful, Father, that Your “loving kindnesses indeed never cease, For [Your] compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 The last several days have been taxing and it is a great reassurance to known that this day is a new day and that You are faithful and that Your “loving kindnesses indeed never cease.” Praise Your Holy name!
2 Timothy 1:13-14 (<<click here)
Regardless of what lies ahead, Lord, You are my rock-solid foundation. As this past week has proven this life is full of twists and turns and we never know what may be around the next bend – illness, heartache, disease, loss. Some things rock the boat but there are times when our boats are utterly destroyed and we are left floundering in the debris. But, Lord, You are steadfast, You are right there with us through it all. You alone are the constant in our lives.
The world may exclaim, “Where is your God now? Where is He in the midst of all of this?” And yes, it is difficult and, yes, I may be shaken but my line of salvation is truth! I have no doubt whatsoever that you are there. I would ask Paul’s words would be fulfilled in my life, that “through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within [me]” that I would be able to “carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to [me].” And it is just as important that I don’t hoard this truth but that I liberally share it with all my sojourners. For truly Your “compassions never fail. They are new every morning!”
Oct 27th, Tues, 6:47 am
Weak Faith Is Better Than No Faith
Father, I am truly blessed and the list of my blessings is unending. I cannot take credit for any of it for all the praise goes to You. I humbly acknowledge Your greatness and Your love.
2 Timothy 1:12 (<<click here)
Lord, my Study Bible* makes a wonderful point in regards to this passage. “This was not a claim to strong faith; rather, it was a trust in one so powerful that even a weak faith was sufficient.”
When I ponder on our relationship, Lord, I am eternally grateful (literally!) that I have put my trust in You. As I said in my prayer, I am truly blessed. And it goes way beyond the physical. Where would I be without You? Lost, condemned, damned – and rightly so! On my own merit standing before the judgment seat of Almighty God absolutely nothing I bring in my defense is worth anything! Only because of Your sacrifice Jesus, and what it means for me can I even stand in the Father’s presence.
“Thank You” is insufficient. Even giving You my life in service is not sufficient but it is all I have. “Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee… Take myself and I will be ever, only, all for Thee.”
Oct 25th, Sun, 6:30 am
*New Living Translation Application Study Bible
Listening
Since we last came together, Father, a lot has transpired, Karen’s second round in the hospital in as many weeks and for two totally unrelated issues. Thank You for good care from wonderful caregivers. And, Father, most of all, thank You that Karen is on the mend and that she will be home soon. And then in the middle of all that You called Your faithful servant, George, home. Our loss is surely Your gain. Cancer had its way with him but no more. I would ask that You would be especially close to his family this day and in the days to come. May we all be ready to step into Your presence as he was.
2 Timothy 1:9-11 (<<click here)
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.” v10
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, Fri, 6:42 am
Imminent Suffering
It’s been too long, Father since I’ve sat down with You for our time together. But one thing that I am grateful for is that You have been at the forefront of my heart and mind the whole time. Several times over the last several days I have called out to You and You have kept me strong in my faith and true to my commitment to You – praise Your holy Name!
2 Timothy 1:8b (<<click here)
“With the strength God give you, be ready to suffer… for the sake of the Good News.”
Lord, a few years ago this passage would have seemed much less imminent. So many things have changed in our world in recent years… and most have not been for the best. Evil on a multitude of fronts is on the rise – just thinking of it all makes my stomach churn.
Everybody and their brother, at least in Christian circles, seems to have an opinion as to what is going to happen. We may not know specifics and we surely don’t know when but suffering is inevitable.
Lord, I don’t know if it will yet happen in my lifetime but may I be ready for it. Help me to continue to strive to make our relationship strong. Help me to sink my roots deep, deep in to Your love. Help me to fervently repel the evil that comes my way. And if that evil someday comes banging on my door may I look it square in the eye, and in Your strength “be ready to suffer… for the sake of the Good News.”
Oct 21st, Wed, 7:24 am
Unashamed to Proclaim
Father, as my heart turns to You this morning so many needs come to mind… and this is a small cross section of the physical issues, anther who is in need of equipment for better access to her home due to physical problems, a young child finishing up a week of very aggressive chemo with a pending stem cell transplant, a dear friend who is fighting Stage 4 cancer along with recovering from a broken hip, a college friend who recently lost her father… and the list could go on. Father, I am so grateful that You are with each of these people and that though the world may storm about us we are never alone.
2 Timothy 1:8 (<<click here)
“…never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord.”
Jesus, I must say that I am not ashamed to tell others about You but must admit that I struggle. Sometimes I am fearful… will they still like me, will my sharing hinder future interactions? Sometimes I am clueless, an opportunity presents itself and my brain doesn’t grasp it until they have moved on. Lord, from the pulpit I have no problem with sharing You but face to face in my daily life I know I can do more… I know I can be more effective.
Lord, I need Your help. Give me courage. Give me wisdom, Give me boldness. Enable me to be Your messenger to a world that needs You so desperately.
Oct 16th, Fri, 6:37 am