I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10 NKJV
Dear Lord Jesus,
How great is Your love and great is Your salvation! Lord, Your creation testifies to Your incredible unimaginable abilities. Lord, no matter how small we get, we can’t come to the end of the building blocks You used to create. No matter how far away we search, we can not come to the end of Your creation. The very expanse of the stars speak of Your glory. The awesome power of the ocean and the creatures within are a testimony to You. Yet, nothing compares with Your sacrifice. Nothing speaks louder or more clearly than Your salvation. The length You went to save us from our sin is far beyond any of Your other works. Lord, for You to leave Heaven and come as a babe, to live as the perfect man, and then die! Words escape me. Yet, You did all that to clothe me with the garment of salvation! Glory be to Your holy name, Jesus! All honor! All praise! All worship is due to You alone. Amen.
Hiding hatred makes you a liar; slandering others makes you a fool. Proverbs 10:18 NLT
Is there any who can not see themselves in these words, at one time or another?
God’s Word cuts through our excuses for ungodly behavior and reveals the truth of what these attitudes are:
lies and foolishness.
Rather, we must be on guard against allowing such things in our lives and be quick to repent when they are discovered among us.
For our tongues are to be under submission to the Lord Jesus.
When they are not we bring ridicule to our Savior.
James 3:9-10 NKJV — With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.
If we are followers of Christ Jesus, our actions, our attitudes, and our words need to be in line with what God says is His expectation for His children.
Ephesians 5:1-2 NKJV — Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
God’s Word is sharper than any two edged sword.
Hebrews 4:12 KJV — For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
And it is a wonderful gift for us, the children of God, to teach us, admonish us, encourage us, and to bring us life.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV — All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Praise the Lord!
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for the truth, direction, guidance, and correction we find in Your scriptures. Lord, please help us to read, understand, and accurately apply Your truths daily. Lord, our lives often get bogged down in the muck of our sin and the more of a sinful world. Lord, please help us be on guard against sin and to repent quickly when we have sinned. Lord, please place a guard over our lips that we might not curse our fellow man nor mock another of Your creation nor slander or neighbor. Lord, please keep us from bring dishonor to Your name by walking in ways which are counter to Your character. Lord, please teach us how to love well, to live selflessly, and to be totally surrendered to You. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.
Sing aloud to God our strength; Make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob. Raise a song and strike the timbrel, The pleasant harp with the lute. Psalms 81:1-2 NKJV
Dear Lord Jesus, Thank You for all Your wonderous ways. Lord Jesus, You are worthy of all praise, honor, and glory. To worship You is such a privilege and blessing. How great You are! Lord, may our hearts never weary of praising You. Lord, may our lives be centered upon You and our minds filled with Your Word. Lord, teach us Your Word. Let our hearts be filled with Your wisdom, Your understanding. Lord Jesus, please let our lips praise You, for Your works are wonderful. In all that we do, help us to do these things into You. To bring glory and honor to Your name. Please let us be people of praise. Thank You for Your faithfulness and unending love. Thank You for salvation! Please touch the needy, protect the innocent, return the prodigal, and save the lost. Thank You, for Your ways are perfect and Your plans are best. We love You, Jesus. Amen.
Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb. Trust in the Lord , and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord , And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord , Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday. Rest in the Lord , and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret— it only causes harm. Psalms 37:1-8 NKJV
Dear Lord Jesus, Thank You for these words. Thank You for the Bible. Thank You for being righteous. Please help me and my family to put away anything which would come between us and You. Lord, we want to be people who stand before You, bringing glory to Your name. Lord, please continue to purify us, that we might serve You wholeheartedly. Shine Your truth into our hearts and minds. Thank You for loving us. Thank You for watching over us. Please continue to bring those who have yet to know You to salvation. Lord, for those who know You, please Lord, please humble our hearts that we might be people of honor, integrity, and righteousness. Please heal the sick and hurting, please protect the innocent, please provide for the needy, and return the prodigal. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for being the King of kings and Lord of lords. I love You. Amen.
Great peace have those who love Your law, And nothing causes them to stumble. Psalms 119:165 NKJV
Dear Lord Jesus, Thank You for Your truth. Lord, thank You for a new day. Lord, we look to You. It is in You we find peace, contentment, and protection. Lord Jesus, we trust You with every area of our lives, our families, and our nation. God be glorified today. Let Your name be praised. Lord bring back truth, integrity, and justice. Please let honor and understanding and righteousness be sought. Let Your Word be remembered. Please let us fill our hearts and minds with Your Word. Help us to recognize anything which would hinder our walk with You and to deal with it quickly. Lord Jesus, You alone are worthy of all praise, glory, and honor. You are holy and Your truth shall withstand all ages. May the glory of the Lord be known throughout the whole Earth. Amen.
I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord , Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep. Psalms 121:1-4 NKJV
Dear Lord Jesus, Thank You so much for these words and the entire Bible. Lord Jesus, thank You for Your faithfulness and Your unending love. Lord, how great and majestic You are! How great and greatly to be praised. Your Word is truth. Your ways are good. You are merciful and full of compassion. Your grace is amazing and Your provision timely. Lord Jesus, there are many times I can not understand what is occurring around me,nor do I see how You are working, but I know that You are. Your Word is a lamp to my feet and an encouragement to my heart. Lord Jesus, You are worthy of all honor, all praise, all glory. May the nations be filled with the know of You. May our hearts be dedicated to Your service alone. May we put off anything which would hinder or ensnare us, keeping our hearts from completely following You, Lord Jesus. Please, heal, return, save, provide, and protect. Let those who have yet to know You turn and be saved. Please raise up godly leaders in every area from parents to medical staff to politicians to judges. Thank You. I love You, Lord. Thank You for all Your wonderous works. Amen.
Praise the Lord with the harp; Make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings. Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy. For the word of the Lord is right, And all His work is done in truth. Psalms 33:2-4 NKJV
Dear Lord Jesus, Thank You so much for this day. Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness in every day. Lord Jesus, it is in You alone we find comfort, security, and truth. Lord Jesus, it is only through You that we can be saved. Thank You for dieing on the cross and rising again to give us freedom from sin. Lord Jesus, please make Your ways seen, let even those who do not fear You, see and understand that You are God Almighty. Lord, please strengthen Your people. Let those who are called by Your name praise You wherever they are. Let them seek Your face and put off those things which are not honorable before You. Lord, let those called by Your name be filled with love, wisdom, and long suffering. Please make us more like You every day. Help us to shine Your truth to those who have yet to know You. Lord, please place Your Word in our mouths, Your will in our hearts, and Your perspective into our understanding. Thank You! Jesus, I lift up the poor, the weak, the sick, the broken, the lost, the prodigal, and the innocent before You. Lord, please reach through each one’s circumstances and touch, heal, mend, save, return, and protect. Lord, please put an end to violence and oppression of the helpless. Thank You that You love them more than life itself, that’s why You died. Thank You. We praise Your holy name. Amen.
I had required a rest after lunch, so Jase and I had resumed home school afterwards.
I wasn’t feeling amazingly well, so I was a bit slow on the uptake of what was happening.
Jase had just been reading aloud to me from his book when he stopped.
I looked up to see why, since he doesn’t like me to “look over his shoulder” while reading.
His face was serious and his eyes held something which I couldn’t place at first.
Then his voice:
“Mom, thank you for all your time helping me and teaching me things. Not just school work, but all the things you teach me.”
-pause, blink-
He’s serious.
Nothing about his face or tone was sarcasm.
“I just realized I don’t think I’ve ever said, ‘Thank you’ before.”
I couldn’t speak.
I just gave him a big hug.
He was a little put off by the silent tears on my cheeks.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you cry.”
“No, buddy. It’s a good cry.”
And thus I received the nicest gift of gratitude I’ve ever gotten near Thanksgiving.
It’s one I will cherish a long time.
And it made me think.
If this is how my son can touch my heart how does my gratitude touch the heart of God?
I’m sure it’s beyond my understanding.
Especially since His love is so much greater than mine.
1 Chronicles 16:8 KJV — Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You so much for this precious gift from our son. Thank You for giving us our son. Lord Jesus, thank You for loving us so much more than we can possibly understand. Lord, thank You for walking with us in all things. Truly, You are worthy of all honor, gratitude, and praise. May our hearts never tire of looking upon Your mighty works and worshipping Your holy name. I love You! Amen.
For the Lord will not forsake His people, for His great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you His people. I Samuel 12:22 NKJV
Dear Lord Jesus, Thank You for choosing the Israelites. Thank You for opening that door of salvation to the Gentiles through Your death and resurrection. Thank You for being so faithful, so loving, so true. Lord Jesus, please let me and my family honor You no matter the circumstances. Please hold us fast to Your ways and Your Word. Lord, please do not allow us to look on any evil or worthless thing, that our hearts might not be tempted away from serving You. Lord, please let us be wise and aware of the tricks and snares of the enemy. Please help us to see the pitfalls and avoid them. Lord, please bless my husband. Lord, please continue to make him a Mighty Man of Valor. Please let his words be truth, his thoughts pure, and his ways steadfast before You. Lord, our sons, please let them be Mighty Men of Valor. Men of renown who are faithful, full of integrity, wise, and loving. Lord, please let me be a woman of worth, godly in my attitudes, my actions, and purposeful with my time. Lord, please help me to be of soft heart and filled with Your praise, unafraid of the future. Lord, please let our daughters be the same, women who follow You and are an example of quiet strength, beautiful surrender to Your will daily. Lord Jesus, thank You for so many blessings. Please reach those who have yet to know You. Let Your name be spread throughout the whole Earth. Lord, please stop the violence against the innocent and the helpless. Please raise up leaders of integrity and honor, who will stand for justice. Lord, please open the eyes of the blind and hard hearted, that they might see You and turn. Thank You so much for salvation! Thank You for Your faithfulness and love. I praise Your holy name, Jesus! Amen.
For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. Therefore I also have lent him to the Lord ; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the Lord .” So they worshiped the Lord there. I Samuel 1:27-28 NKJV
Dear Lord Jesus, Thank You for Your faithfulness! Lord, I love the heart of Hannah, how she asked of You and gave her son to You. I love how he became a godly man, serving You all his days. Lord, as a mother, I have given the children You have placed in our home back to You. I know they belong to You and You love them more than I can possibly imagine. Lord Jesus, please let each one follow and serve You their whole lives. Please let their faith spread to those around them, that they might be testimonies to You. Lord, please help me to be diligent in my life, that I might know how to pray for them, how to encourage them, how to confront them, how to be the mother they need most. Lord Jesus, please help me to be the wife who loves and supports her husband, an example for my daughters and a blessing to my husband. Lord Jesus, for those who are in different circumstances than mine, please guide and direct them. Please teach them how to pray, how to listen for Your Word. Lord Jesus, please hold them in Your hand and guide their hearts with Your Word. Lord, You alone are worthy of all praise, all honor, all glory. You save the lost. You return the prodigal. You heal the sick, the hurting, the broken. You protect the innocent. You feed the hungry. May the world understand Who You are and what You have done, that Your name might be glorified! Thank You, Jesus! Amen.
patientlyhopeful 