Love

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." This is the BEST gift! Lord, your love is unfathomable. Your love is sacrifical, and your love is deep. Valentine's Day is a fun day to honor those we love, whether a friend, a family member, or a love! But I pray we remember the true love of Christ, and that you first loved us. Any love we have for one another or for you, God, is purely bccause of your grace. It is wonderful to feel loved by others. But, is is amazing to feel loved by you and to receive your gift of eternal life! Others may come and may go, Lord, but you never change. I praise you for the knowledge that I am yours. Thank you, Father!

Fire

Words from Isaiah 43 "I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.....do not be afraid, for I am with you." Lord, your Word clarifies and comforts, and how I praise you for your promises! I am yours! Thank you, God, that you speak to us through scripture. Lord, today these verses just jumped out at me! I have been praying for so many friends who are walking through "fires" right now. Prayers are poured out, but answers are long in coming. It is so difficult to see them there. But, ah! You did not promise to keep fires away from us! You promised that we will not burn and that you are with us. You keep your eye on us. I can affirm that as I pray, and I am calmed. You will manage it. You will answer. We are to wait upon you. How precious is your presence, Lord. Help us to seek it. Put a thirst for your Word in our hears, and beckon us to come sit down with you. These things I pray, in your Son's precious name.

God Speaks

"The Word of God is flawless. He is a shield to those who take refuge in him." God spoke to me today. In my calling out to Him, He answered...at the gym!!....interrupting me as I was listening to a book on my iPod. I had left for the gym singing, "strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord." And I had been asking Him about this "gift of giving" He planted in me. It swells up in me like tidal waves, and for so many years I had aging parents, elderly friends, young needy children to let it out. I had the freedom of time to spill it out. Now that gift is often trapped in there, ready to crash in the wrong places or at the wrong time, and my days filled with demands of a different sort. I cried out to Him. He answered. His omni presence filled me, and time stood still. "Come to me." "Rest in me." "Rely on me." Tears flow with His godness and grace. My little awkward self...He will use me. I am here, and I wait expectantly for Him to direct the next Tsunami.

Your Word

Lord, how I love your Word and the wonder of your ways. "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." Isaiah 26:3 is such a great reminder to keep our minds on you. I love the visual image of a painting, with the figures in the foreground appearing large, while the figures in the background appear small and farther away. So it is with our minds during each day, amidst each problem or joy. What we focus on seems to be large, and in the foreground. While those things we are not focusing on, seem distant and small. Lord, help me to keep you in the foreground of my mind! If you are near and you are large to me, everything else fades to the distance. Draw me to your Word, and give me a thirst for prayer and quiet in your presence. Then my mind with be steadfast, and I will trust in you. I will call to you and you will hear me! Lord, thank you for your ways, and for calling me into relationship with you. Use me to glorify you, precious Lord.

Confidence

"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8 Lord, and we have confidence in this, as we know your word is true! Lord, today is a day of quiet, of prayer, of reading your word. How I needed that extra time to spend with you. You know just what I need....a call from a friend, a quiet walk in the sunshine, time with you. The grief is there, but the load is lightened through you. I love how you put sisters around us to walk your path in faith together. I am so very grateful for that. What a comfort. And, Lord, the laughter! Laughter with our precious sisters refreshes our souls. Life can bring worrisome circumstances, but as we walk together in joy and in the confidence of your Word, we can let go. We can rest in your assurances. Thank you! Lord, I ask that each of my sisters in Christ, with their individual needs, can feel the balm of your assurances, through your quiet whispers. Thank you Father.

Grief

Lord, I grieve. The cloud of it is heavy for me, and my many friends who have lost loved ones in the past months live under rays of sadness as they move forward in their lives. I long to encourage them, yet as the numbers increase, I falter. The time feels dark as I tire. Lord, help me understand as I pray for them, and as I, too, share in their losses, that your wings lift me up and the weight is not mine. Thank you for this long weekend coming up. Your spirit restores me. May I rest in you. Psalm 23:2 "He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul." Father, your love and your promises are treasures, and light in the darkness. Thank you Father.

Christmas

Proverbs 30:4
"Who has gone up to heaven and come down?
Whose hands have gathered up the wind?
Who has wrapped up the waters in a cloak?
Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is his name, and what is the name of his son?
Surely you know!"
Christmas is coming! Advent season is coming quickly to an end, and the day to celebrate the birth of Christ is upon us. Lord, as everyone is dashing around, complaining about the rain, planning family festivities, let us remember the name of your son. Keep it in our hearts! The greatest gift given, at a time we least expected, to undeserving but expectant ones. It is humbling, Lord, to consider this gift of life in Christ. We thank you. I thank you, for Jesus.