Ambassador of Love
Good morning, Father. Thank you for waking me so we could spend some time together this morning, I cherish them. Please help me to feel so more and more. Like so many things that I do (i.e. picking up and dropped stuff) help me to not say “no” to being with You, absolutely no excuses! I love You, Father, and I want to spend time with You so I can become more like You!
Ephesians 6:10-24 (<<click this)
More and more, Lord, I am coming to understand your direction for me and the church. In recent generations we have become very militant about defending our “right” as believers. Reading this passage tells me that our only piece of defensive armor is to be Your Word. We grumble, and complain and fight against those that You have put into authority over us. But our fight is not supposed to be against flesh and blood. We are called to take our stand “against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world…mighty powers in this dark world…and evil spirits in the heavenly places.” (vs.12) Lord, You told us that the world would hate us because it hated You, but in our selfishness and pride it has come to hate us because we hate the world! …not because we love You… Your light shines upon the world showing its sinfulness. I truly believe that, at least at this point in time, You do so to draw us to you…judgment will come later. We push the world away because we judge now. Help me to be an ambassador of Your love to the world.
May 9th, Sat, 5:17 am
Pierce Through the Clouds
Father, what a beautiful day is at hand…and not just because the sun is shining and the grass is green. It’s a clean slate, as the beginning of each new day is. A day fresh with possibilities and opportunities to do what You have called us to do. A glorious day to share Your love with all those around us. Thank You, Father, for this wonderful gift!
Ephesians 6:5-9 (<<click this)
“Serve them (your employers) sincerely as you would serve Christ.” vs. 5b
Sincerely: genuinely, honestly, truly wholeheartedly, earnestly,fervently
Lord, You had me focus on the one particular family in my life this morning. I know that You sincerely love them and want what is best for them. Please be with their granddaughter this beautiful day. Pierce thru the clouds and disillusionment and give her Your wisdom and clarity! By whatever means help her to lay ahold of the truth found only in You. Whatever direction she takes may You, Lord, be at its core. Lord, I claim her for You and You alone. Satan – hands off!! You are defeated, any victories you’ve had are short lived!! Jesus I claim victory over this whole situation in the power and might of Your name – Your resurrection power will overcome. Help her Lord, she needs You! You are the answer she needs! Jesus please make yourself known to her in a clear and mighty way! AMEN!!!*
May 8th, Fri, 6:45 am
*The Lord answered this prayer that very day! A wise decision was made. There is still work to be done but God is working!
Honoring (All) Parents
Sometimes my bed feels awfully good but more and more I just don’t want to miss this time with You, Father! May this always be the case; that is my heartfelt prayer!! I need this time together, I am dependent on it! Please, Father help me to make the most of it. Speak to me and help me hear Your direction, help me to act on it, help me to retain Your Word, help it to be something that infuses my day, please help it to impact everything else I do , say or think! Father, I am Yours to use as You will. I hold nothing back! Thank You, Father!
Ephesians 6:1-4 (<- click here)
Lord, this passage speaks to me on two fronts this morning, first honoring parents. My New Living Translation Application Study Bible notes say that “honoring” means to respect and love. With my parents – no problem but looking at other people’s parents – it’s much more complicated. And being a pastor and working in retail I see all kinds of parents. The dynamics of other couple’s relationships affects my perception of them. And of course, that can directly affect my relationships, too. The only way for me to address this mindset is to plead with You to allow me to see other couples through Your eyes. To love them, as You do. If that means I need to address certain aspects of their relationship – so be it. If that means I say nothing – then so be it. Lord, help me to be what You want me to be in my relationship with them. Also, change how I respond in my relationships in that regard as well; help me to not be negative about other people’s relationships when interacting in my personal relationships. Quite often people I love know what it’s like and don’t need me literally adding insult to injury – help me to pray for others when situations arise and to let those I love know that that will be my course of action from now on, with Your help and direction.
Secondly, I owe Massey an apology. It’s weird but two things stick in my mind as I read about not “provoking” him – RISK and matches. He and I have talked of this some but I need to make sure they are addressed from a spiritual perspective in regards to my relationship with him. I know my actions had a direct influence on him – they have in part, made him who he is. To a certain extent that might have had a positive reaction but more so it has probably affected him adversely. What’s been done can’t be undone but Lord, please, help me to continue to improve our relationship (which You have already done great things for several years!) and only if and when You direct, please help me to address these failing of my fathering.
May 7th, Thurs, 6:09 am
Warrior (re-posted)
Amber (Buena) Holderman grew up near where we live. Her parents own a local Mexican restaurant, La Paloma. They are wonderful Christian people. I remember Amber helping around the restaurant even as a child. She has grown up into a wonderful woman who puts her faith into action.
Amber’s daughter Cailyn battles Autism and Amber has taken part in the American Ninja Warrior competition (the Pittsburgh Qualifying episode which aired Monday, June 29th) to raise awareness for Autism research and to fight for Cailyn because “Cailyn Can”.
This blog post, Warrior {<- click here!}, was written by her husband.
Magnifying the Negative
I am determined to persevere! Each and every day sin is out there to tangle us up to try to wrap around enough to make me stumble or fall. Lord, I am here with You to build up my strength and stamina to be able to better focus on You(!) So I can resist temptation and be victorious! I know that the Adversary wants me to fail, but You are mightier than he and remaining in You, trusting in You, will surely result in his defeat in my life.
Lord, fill me with Your Holy Spirit! It’s so easy to be negative about multiple areas in my life – it is the norm in the world in which I live. Complaining about work, about other drivers on the highway. Looking down on other people because of the way they dress or do their hair or how they act. It’s bad enough to think such things but way too often I verbalize my thoughts! What good does that do anyone? It just perpetuates the negativity! And becomes a vicious cycle.
I’m a “music” kind of guy, that’s the way You have made me. 🙂 Lord, please bring that out in place of the negativity. When I want to complain, help me to thank You for the never-ending list of blessings in my life! Help me to praise You for who You are in my life. Help my tongue to bring glory to You and not to magnify the negative!
May 5th, Tues, 6:32 am