Letting Go, Allowing God

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“Whoever trusts his own heart is a fool. Whoever walks in wisdom will survive.” Proverbs 28:26 (GW)

When I think of the cost God sacrificed for me, His Son beaten, scourged, and left hanging on a cross to die, why then is it so difficult for me to believe I am worthy to allow God to give me the endless supply of life? Any effort of mine to “hang on” to my problems, my doubts, or my fears paralyzes me to trust God.

My decision to let go of all the sin that keeps me from having the full life of God may cost me time, money, energy, reputation, talents, or resources, any or all is a heavy price tag but none greater than the cost paid by God. Once I have made the complete and effective decision about my sin, I let go and allow the life that was in Jesus become mine because of the Cross.

Praying the Scriptures:

“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant (to me) to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in (my) inner being, so that Christ may dwell in (my heart) through faith – that (I) being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that (I) may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:14-19 (GW)

Time is limited on earth. I am imperfect. But I must not allow the limited time and my own imperfection keep me from making the decision to move forward in faith to accomplish the will of God.

“(I) know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So (I) also must consider (myself) dead to sing and alive to God in Jesus Christ.” Romans 6:9-11(GW)

Prayer Journal Prompt:

“COME CLOSE TO GOD, AND HE WILL COME CLOSE TO YOU.” JAMES 4:8 (GW)

What am I hanging on to that paralyzes me to trust God?
How do I feel about God’s decision about sacrificing His Son, Jesus Christ?
Why does God think I am worthy of His Son?
What do I want to allow God to do with my life?
What does it mean, “Whoever walks in wisdom will survive?”

(c) 2016-2023 All Rights are Reserved

Holy Week, in poetry

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Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday Corrected

Good Friday

Good Friday

Holy Saturday

Black Saturday

Easter Sunday

The Tomb

“Very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb. They were carrying the spices that they had prepared. They found that the stone had been rolled away from the tomb. When they went in, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were puzzled about this, two men in clothes that were as bright as lightning suddenly stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed to the ground.”

The men asked the women, “Why are you looking among the dead for the living one? He’s not here. He has been brought back to life! Remember what he told you while he was still in Galilee. He said, ‘The Son of Man must be handed over to sinful people, be crucified, and come back to life on the third day.’ ” Then the women remembered what Jesus had told them.” Luke 24:1-8 (GW)

Jesus said to her, “I am the one who brings people back to life, and I am life itself. Those who believe in me will live even if they die. Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe that?” John 11:25-26 (GW)

“In this season of rebirth, may you feel your faith renewed and your heart made new with the hope Easter brings.”

Prayer Journal Prompt:

“COME CLOSE TO GOD, AND HE WILL COME CLOSE TO YOU.” JAMES 4:8 (GW)

Why did God sacrifice His only son for me?

Am I worthy of such a sacrifice? Why or Why not?

Do I believe in Jesus Christ? Why or What is holding me back from believing?

How can I witness for Jesus Christ?

What does it mean, “Those who believe in me will live even if they die.”?

 

 

 

Praying, day and night

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“When I heard this, I sat down and cried. I mourned for days. I continued to fast and pray to the God of heaven.” Nehemiah 1:4 (GW)

On the back page of my prayer journals, I list the names of those on whose behalf I pray. Many of these people are known to me and others are not, but need the ear of God. As prayers are answered, I refer back to my initial inscription of their name to record how God has answered prayers as a reminder that God does hear and answer prayers. He is always working on our behalf. His ways are beyond our understanding but always keeps His promises to love and show mercy on those who believe through the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ.

My Prayer:

In the anxious hours of our lives, day or night, I repeat the following prayer as translated into my own prayer from Nehemiah: 

“Lord God of heaven, great and awe-inspiring God, you faithfully keep your promises and show mercy to those who love you and obey your commandments. Open your eyes and pay close attention with your ears to what I, your servant, am praying. I am praying to you day and night about those who are close to my heart and yours. I confess the sins that we have all committed against you as well as I have committed. We have done you a great wrong. We have not obeyed the commandments, laws, or regulations that you gave to us to follow. Please remember what you told us through Your Word that if we return to you and obey your commandments and place our faith through Jesus Christ, we shall be saved. Lord, please pay close attention to my prayer and to the prayers of all your other servants who desire to worship You in the name of Jesus Christ. Show us Your mercy and compassion as You know the contents of our hearts and the needs of our minds, bodies, and spirits. I lift up this prayer in Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.”

The Lord taught us to pray:

As expressed from Jesus Christ, The Sermon on the Mountain, Matthew 6:9-13 (GW). He taught us how to pray:

“Our Father Who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name; they kingdom come; they will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day your daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil as thy is kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory, for ever and ever. Amen”

Calming my spirit

Psalm 119 is the great psalm of God’s Word. God’s Word is our beloved guide to life. The Gospel radiates through this psalm describing God’s trustworthy promises which save His people and gives us eternal mercy. 

“Let your blessings reach me, O Lord. Save me as you promised.” Psalm 119:41 (GW)

“Your word is a lamp for my feet and light for may path.” Psalm 119:105 (GW)

“Give me a new life through your mercy so that I may obey the written instructions, which came from your mouth.” Psalm 119:88 (GW)

Prayer Journal Prompt:

“COME CLOSE TO GOD, AND HE WILL COME CLOSE TO YOU.” JAMES 4:8 (GW)

Write out a prayer to memorize when I am anxious or when I cannot sleep.

Where is my current path leading me? 

Do I accept God’s answer to my prayer? Why or why not?

Who do I pray for?

What does this phrase in the Lord’s prayer mean to me? “And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

(c) 2016-2023 All Rights are Reserved

Unloading My Sorrow

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“How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I make decisions alone
with sorrow in my heart day after day?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
Look at me! Answer me, O LORD my God!
Light up my eyes,
or else I will die
and my enemy will say, “I have overpowered him.”
My opponents will rejoice because I have been shaken.
But I trust your mercy.
My heart finds joy in your salvation.
I will sing to the LORD because he has been good to me.” Psalm 13 (GW)

The poetry of Psalm 13 is an example of what is often the subject of my prayer journal. It was especially so during the time of the COVID pandemic. As I reflect on the first several months of the pandemic, I, like so many others were sheltered in place fearing our turn to potentially contracting the deadly coronavirus.

On September 25, 2020, I went to the emergency room wondering if I had appendicitis or the coronavirus. Instead, I would be diagnosed with leukemia. Later that evening after my husband left the hospital, I sat at the window of my hospital room marveling at a beautiful sunset. I praised God for allowing me to become a wife and then a mother to two amazing sons. Even at the end of the worst day of my life, I found joy. God is here!

“Sorrow is better than laughter because, in spite of a sad face, the heart can be joyful.” Ecclesiastes 7:3 (GW)

Turning sorrow to joy.

“We must focus on Jesus, the source and goal of our faith. He saw the joy ahead of him, so he endured death on the cross and ignored the disgrace it brought him. Now he holds the honored position—the one next to God the Father on the heavenly throne.” Hebrews 2:12 (GW)

While I had put on a brave face, I unloaded my sorrow in my prayer journal. After years of journaling my prayers and staying focused on my faith in Jesus Christ, I can look back over the pages of my prayer journals to read how the Lord had shown me His mercy. I had recorded it not only to express my grief but my acceptance of His answers. Each time He led me back to His Word so I could be reminded of His promises.

Prayer Journal Prompt:

“COME CLOSE TO GOD, AND HE WILL COME CLOSE TO YOU.” JAMES 4:8 (GW)

Am I secretly grieving? If so, why? What is causing my sorrow?
How do I unload my sorrow?
Where can I find joy in my life?
What does it mean to me, “Sorrow is better than laughter?”

(c) 2016-2023 All Rights are Reserved

The Holy Spirit Knows My Heart

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When I am afraid, sick, or in crisis-mode, my anxieties weigh me down. It is though I am running circles around my worry rather than kneeling over my anxieties to pray. Yet when I do pray, what weighs me down is uplifted with a sense of peace, a stillness with a vision of the way forward.

Stubbornness prolongs my pain.

“The LORD says,
“I will instruct you.
I will teach you the way that you should go.
I will advise you as my eyes watch over you.
Don’t be stubborn like a horse or mule.
They need a bit and bridle in their mouth to restrain them,
or they will not come near you.” Psalm 32:8-9 (GW)

Learning to pay attention.

I have learned to do pay attention to His teachings first thing in the morning by reading God’s Word and devotionals. This is when I write in my prayer journal. If I am feeling rushed in the morning, I can expect that my day will be stressful. It is though I never spent my time with God at all. It is oftentimes because I do not know how to express myself. I look back in my prayer journal and I can see the rambling of my words. Then I feel ashamed. I remind myself that Holy Spirit knows my heart. He understands my rambling voice.

“But if we hope for what we don’t see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. At the same time the Spirit also helps us in our weakness because we don’t know how to pray for what we need. But the Spirit intercedes along with our groans that cannot be expressed in words. The one who searches our hearts knows what the Spirit has in mind. The Spirit intercedes for God’s people the way God wants him to.” Romans 8:25-27 (GW)

Turning shame to praise.

I am not to let the busyness and distractions of my life interfere with staying attuned with God. My prayer journal has helped me to write my way through all my crisis’ to stay focused on Him who knows my heart. I give all the glory, power, and praise to God who watches over me. He also sends people who share in my love and praise of God into my life. I am grateful for those who walk with me in His light and pray for me.

Prayer Journal Prompt:

“COME CLOSE TO GOD, AND HE WILL COME CLOSE TO YOU.” JAMES 4:8 (GW)

How can I create time to spend with God?

What keeps me from forming a journaling habit?

Who do I know that can help me draw closer to God?

Do I feel the Holy Spirit’s presence when I pray?  Why or Why not?

What does it mean to me, “But if we hope for what we don’t see”?

(c) 2016-2023 All Rights are Reserved

The Power of Discipleship

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My life has taken different turns with unique challenges along the way. God has reached me in my experiences because I have allowed Him to draw closer as I have drawn close to Him. His invitation arrived through His Word carried by shepherds and mentors along my way.

“And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.” 2 Peter 1:4 (GW)

My motives for deliverance initially were for personal gain, restoration and recovery; however, the path of tornado does not affect just me but often the debris of my place of hurt scattered far and wide.

“One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question, ‘Teacher, what I do to inherit eternal life?’ Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?’ The man answered, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind. And ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” ‘Right!’ Jesus told him. “’Do this and you will live!’ The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’” Luke 10:25-29 (GW)

When the debris of my place of hurt collides with the hurt of others there becomes a need for mercy not only toward myself but toward those around me – who are known and unknown. Life together in the body of Christ gives discipleship its power. Love and mercy its power.

Prayer Journal Prompt:

“COME CLOSE TO GOD, AND HE WILL COME CLOSE TO YOU.” JAMES 4:8 (GW)

Describe my place of hurt.
How does my place of hurt affect others?
How has God’s mercy been shown to me?
How can I show that same mercy to others?
Do I love myself? Why or why not?
What does it mean to “Love your neighbor as yourself”?

(c) 2016-2023 All Rights are Reserved

Exiting the Roundabout

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Roundabouts are replacing congested and busy intersections in Michigan to keep traffic moving smoothly and reduce traffic accidents. These traffic roundabouts are often conundrums for drivers who experience them for the first time. Drivers are to yield to oncoming traffic within the roundabout as they merge into the roundabout themselves. Then drivers are to move within the roundabout taking the appropriate exit to their planned destination.

Too often drivers miss their exit or are unsure of their exit to only to keep circling in the roundabout in frustration waiting for an opportunity to merge onto any exit. Other drivers witnessing the inexperienced roundabout driver can be seen at times offering hand gestures which are either kind or rude which can be accompanied by honking their vehicle horn.

Traffic roundabouts can be stressful when I am unsure of my exit or where I am going. Life is like a traffic roundabout. Decisions to merge or exit can be daunting. At times it takes courage to trust where I am going and that I will arrive at my destination on time. Witnessing others in their uncertainty can also cause me to become stressed. Trusting my motives takes courage to decide whether my intercession is helpful or enabling their distress.

Wisdom’s Blessings Come from the LORD

“The plans of the heart belong to humans,
but an answer on the tongue comes from the LORD.
A person thinks all his ways are pure,
but the LORD weighs motives.
Entrust your efforts to the LORD,
and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:1-3 (GW)

“Trust the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths smooth.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (GW)

Prayer Journal Prompt:

“COME CLOSE TO GOD, AND HE WILL COME CLOSE TO YOU.” JAMES 4:8 (GW)

What has me going in circles?
How can I trust my decisions are correct?
Are my motives pure?
What does it mean to me, “Trust the Lord… and not rely on my own understanding”?

(c) 2016-2023 All Rights are Reserved

An Undiminished Radiance

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The foundation of the Christian faith is the undeserved, limitless love of God who exhibited the ultimate power of that love through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary.

What can we say about all of this? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31 (GW)

I can never earn God’s love for me. Yet He loves me still.

It is, I, who desires to draw closer to Him… or not. I try to fight against my circumstances – hardships, adversity, suffering, in mind, body, and spirit – whatever my circumstances may be are the very things that will sift and sand me into something beautiful and shiny.

“What will separate us from the love Christ has for us? Can trouble, distress, persecution, hunger, nakedness, danger, or violent death separate us from his love?… The one who loves us gives an overwhelming victory in all these difficulties.” Romans 8.35-37 (GW)

The world wants me to see my circumstances and my sin differently than God. I recognize in my circumstances as I draw closer to Him that confession, repentance, and obedience are the necessary tools to feeling the love of God has for me. It is not the shallowness of the simple act of confession, but the genuine confessing, repenting, and the grieving of my sin that impacts my devotion to Him.

I persevere in my faith in Jesus Christ to look past my circumstances to see what God sees – an undiminished radiance.

“In fact, to be distressed in a godly way causes people to change the way they think and act and leads them to be saved. No one can regret that. But the distress that the world causes brings only death. When you became distressed in a godly way, look at how much devotion it caused you to have.” 2 Corinthians 7:10-11 (GW)

Prayer Journal Prompt:

“COME CLOSE TO GOD, AND HE WILL COME CLOSE TO YOU.” JAMES 4:8 (GW)

Am I keeping my distance from God? Why?

How does the world view my circumstances?

What is happening in my life that keeps me from seeing what God sees?

What does, “the grieving of my sin” mean to me? What does it mean to God?

 

(c) 2016-2023 All Rights are Reserved

Am I living a defeated life?

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I had lost interest and had given up with no vision, no encouragement, and no improvement, but only experienced my everyday life with its’ trivial tasks. My health in mind, body, and spirit had given in to a defeated life. I asked God to keep the eyes of my spirit open to the risen Christ so there was no possibility of drudgery to discourage me. It took more than the grace of God and a much greater awareness to take that next step – I needed to draw closer to Him.

God opened my eyes to the example of Jesus Christ.

“The Father had put everything in Jesus’ control. Jesus knew that. He also knew that he had come from God and was going back to God. So, he got up from the table, removed his outer clothes, took a towel, and tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel that he had tied around his waist.” John 13: 3-5 (GW)

God has blessed me with gifts to accomplish His will. I am to share these gifts even when my work cannot be seen or appreciated by others. The only way to live an undefeated life is to keep the eyes of my spirit focused on God through faith in Christ. No task is too insignificant or beneath my dignity as shown by Jesus’ example. I am God’s servant.

“We don’t give people any opportunity to find fault with how we serve. Instead, our lives demonstrate that we are God’s servants. We have endured many things; suffering, distress, anxiety, beatings, imprisonments, riots, hard work, sleepless nights, and lack of food…. People think we are sad although we’re always glad, that we’re beggars although we make many people spiritually rich, that we have nothing although we possess everything.” 2 Corinthians 3:4-5, 10 (GW)

Prayer Journal Prompt:

“Come close to God, and he will come close to you.” James 4:8 (GW)

Is there no enthusiasm left in my life? Why?

How can I draw closer to God?

What are the gifts God has blessed to me?

How can I share my gifts to serve others?

What does it mean, “we possess everything”?

Spiritual Eyesight

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Read Jonah 4:2 (GW)

“So, he prayed to the LORD, “LORD, isn’t this what I said would happen when I was still in my own country? That’s why I tried to run to Tarshish in the first place. I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, patient, and always ready to forgive and to reconsider your threats of destruction.”

What is the difference between holding on to a principle and having a vision?

Is my attitude today an attitude that flows from my principles or my vision of God?

Is there a freshness and a vitality in my spiritual outlook?

When a crisis happens in my life, I can be certain that the resources of my character will be revealed in how I respond. Each crisis is a test of my character and spiritual eyesight.

Principals do not come from moral inspiration, only vision.

My own idea of God and His attributes may be used to justify and rationalize my deliberate neglect of what I am to do. I may have the right idea (principal), but wherever there is vision, there is also a life of honesty and integrity.

Vision gives me the moral incentive.

If I set daily prayer aside as well as cease having God’s vision in the trivial things of life, I simply act on my own principal.

Prayer Journal tips (2)When I expect God to do greater things than what He has already done before, I correct my vision by writing Him a love letter in my prayer journal. I begin by praising and glorifying His name and describing the endless list of blessings in the greatest detail. I then humbly ask for His forgiveness for my poor eyesight and ask for His help in correcting my vision. God works miracles on my behalf every single day. He has proven that time after time. My prayer journal is written proof of it.

(c) 2016-2022 All Rights are Reserved

Where does God live?

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READ 1 JOHN 4

Verses 9-10:

God has shown us his love by sending his only Son into the world so that we could have life through him. This is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the payment for our sins.

What is my capacity for depression?

Is it in the gnawing physical pain from my physical disease?

Is it in the growing anguish from my sinful decisions?

Is it in the abandonment of my faith?

My capacity for depression is great. If I was not capable of depression, then I would not have the capacity for happiness. The things of life that depress me are associated with death. When I examine these things that depress me, I take in the capacity of my depression.

Depression tends to turn me away from everyone. When I call on God to step into my life, His inspiration does the most natural, simple thing. He shows me where love lives. It lives in the hearts of those who love God.

Am I in the company of believers in Christ?

Jesus Christ suffered on my behalf so I might become part of God’s family. The magnitude of His selfless gift inspires me to love others. This is my initiative to turn away from depression and back into the company of His perfect love.

Perfect love is not quick to condemn or criticize. Perfect love does not jump to conclusions or give in to quick tempers and arguments. Perfect love lives in harmony with other people. Fear does not exist where perfect love lives.

When I keep Christ’s commandment to love others then my capacity for happiness crowds out my capacity for depression.

Dear Lord, I give you all the power and glory in Christ’s name who loved me first. Forgive me for allowing the world and the pains of my body to depress me when your Son who suffered much more pain than I can ever imagine saved me from my sin. Help me to remember that my fear does not exist where perfect love resides. Thank you for the people in my life. I love you! In Jesus Christ’s name I pray. Amen

Prayer Journal tips (2)Whenever I become depressed, I start listing in my prayer journal everything and particularly everyone in my life to whom I am grateful. The power of this exercise is God taking a hold of my heart to show me where He lives.

 

(c) 2016-2022 All Rights are Reserved

 

The Value of Love

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READ MARK 14

Verses 6-9:

Jesus said, “Leave her alone! Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing for me. You will always have the poor with you and can help them whenever you want. But you will not always have me with you. She did what she could. She came to pour perfume on my body before it is placed in a tomb. I can guarantee this truth: Wherever the Good News is spoken in the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”

Love is not cautious, wise, sensible, or shrewd. Affection brings warm feelings, but love goes to the extremes.

Have I ever been driven to do something for God not because I felt like it or it was my duty, or that there was something in it for me, but simply because I love Him?

What value am I to God?

Am I just sitting around daydreaming or am I working at doing the ordinary, simple, human things that show my genuine love for Him? I am no use to God if I wish of doing only important things but neglect to focus my eyes on something other than my personal holiness. When I become overly concerned about the way I talk, the way I walk and look toward others, I miss being of value to God.

I accept that I am not much use to anyone but God Himself. My value is surrendering all that I have and do in the name of Jesus Christ. When I rise to go to work each day, I do the ‘beautiful thing’ as though it were for Christ and in those ordinary, simple, human works, God works through me. I give it all to God – the mundane and the magnificent.

Dear Lord, I give you all the praise and glory for the work of my hands. Forgive me for all my complaints in doing the work however mundane, my feelings of being unappreciated, and self-centeredness in my response. Lord, I pray that my work creates the same value that Mary of Bethany created in the heart of Jesus Christ. Lord, I also pray for those who are the recipients of my work and that they may be blessed by it. I love you! In Jesus Christ’s name I pray. Amen

Prayer Journal tips (2)

I supplement my prayer journal writing and reading God’s Word with reading and meditating on the Christian testimonies of others. God speaks to us not only in our individual circumstances but through the lives of others.

(c) 2016-2022 All Rights Reserved.

The Encouragement of Jesus Christ

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READ HEBREWS 10

VERSES 35-36

“So don’t lose your confidence. It will bring you a great reward. You need endurance so that after you have done what God wants you to do, you can receive what he has promised.”

Why have I hidden myself away?

The rougher roads of life have beaten me down and I long to secure a peaceful retreat from the world physically, socially, and mentally. My desire to live a distant, withdrawn, and secluded life, however, is diametrically opposed to what I crave.

The true test of my spirituality has come up against injustice, degradation, ingratitude, and turmoil, and simply – the world around me has made me spiritually lazy and silent.

Why do I continue to be bothered?

I have used the social and personal silence in prayer and Bible reading for the sole purpose of finding that peaceful, quiet retreat.

When my peace and joy of Jesus Christ is just that and not for the true realization of Him it is no wonder my road has become a crumbling pothole. I do not want to be stirred up. All I want is to be retired from this world.

What is wrong with me?

I am consumed with my own existence that my gaze is always cast down instead of up. I look up to see others sharing the same uneven path. We belong to Christ. My encouragement lies in our collective encouragement as we press forward in a shared faith of redemption and a life that only can be lived through Him who saves.

The peace of God that surpasses all understanding is ours.

Dear Lord, I praise Your Name in Christ Jesus who You have given to free us from our sins. Forgive me for our selfishness and I pray not only for my encouragement but for all others who come to You for forgiveness and peace. I am grateful beyond measure for Your encouraging presence. I love you! In Jesus Christ’s name I pray. Amen.

Prayer Journal tips (2)Praying for others is one of the ways we can encourage each other even if we do not know their specific circumstances or name. God intimately knows their names and their circumstances. The back pages of my prayer journal are reserved for family, friends, and others who need or have requested my prayer. I pray daily that they see God’s presence and feel His comforting peace.

 

Hearing God’s Truth

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Read John 14

Verse 15:

“If you love me, you will obey my commandments.”

Why do I not listen to God? Is it because I cannot hear him in my noisy world?

I listen to people I know. I listen to their personal testimonies and take them at their word. The truth is I don’t consciously and deliberately put up my hand to God to say, “stop!”

Do I love the company of misery more?

Truth is difficult to hear through ignorant ears. Love is difficult to feel when the heart is surrounded in the barbed wire of despair. Obedient advice becomes optional not imperative when I listen to someone other than God allowing the world to consume my attention and my actions.

Why am I so insensitive and obstinate to know the one who treats me as His child?

God will never tell me, “I told you so” because He loved me first. Once I realize I have constantly shown Him disrespect, I feel the shame and humiliation of my ignorance and take responsibility for my despair by actively searching for His voice.

Dear Lord, I praise Your wisdom and I ask for Your forgiveness to being easily led by foolish and self-centered pursuits. Help me to open my ears and unburden my heart to You so I may fully hear Your voice instead of the world’s. Guide me with Your peace so I may no longer be troubled or cowardly. Thank you for the Spirit of Your Truth. I love you! I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

Prayer Journal tips (2)

Examining our circumstances in a prayer journal will help us to gain perspective by opening our hearts and ears to hear God’s will in our life. Sometimes the words flow like a rushing river and other times they are like a drip from a leaky faucet. At one point in my prayer journal, I was only able to draw a small box in the middle of the page. In time God showed me the box was a metaphor for my authentic voice. The power of a prayer journal is the ability to trace the footsteps of our walk with God.

Visualizing God’s Presence

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Read Isaiah 40

Verse 26: 

Look at the sky and see.
Who created these things?
Who brings out the stars one by one?
He calls them all by name.
Because of the greatness of his might and the strength of his power,
not one of them is missing.

If I am a child of God, where can I see the tremendous treasures of His holiness and His triumphs in my life? How do I see the face of God and not depend on idols?

My ability to bring my mind and thoughts into focus is to feel God’s warmth with the sun on my face, the gentle caress of my hair in the wind, see the beauty of the rosebud that may one day bloom, and the colors of autumn’s wisdom as the days fade. 

What in my life has shifted my focus away from the sunrises and sunsets that God paints for me each day? Or the soothing rain that shares my tears from heaven?

I am powerless when faced with my life’s difficulties on my own. I am unable to endure the darkness when it is God who I need. My futility in prayer is my inability to visualize God in my life when He surrounds me each day in nature. I humbly ask God’s forgiveness and boldly ask Him to correct my blurred vision to see the guiding sun and moon of His eternal presence in my circumstances and in the lives of others too.

Dear Lord, I give you all the praise and glory! Thank you for calling me by name to draw me close and by the power of your love so I may not wander away from you. I love you! In Jesus Christ’s name, I pray. Amen

Prayer Journal tips (2)Transcribe a Bible verse(s) each day in your prayer journal. Transcribing Bible verses honors God and aids in your meditative focus and memorization. When referring back to your prayer journal, your transcribed Bible verses reinforce God’s Word and His promises as they are revealed to you in your life. It will transform your prayer life!