July 9, 2022

Today’s prayer:

Isaiah 14:3 KJV — And it shall come to pass in the day that the LORD shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve,

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Lord, I love this promise You gave to Your people, the people of Judah. Thank You for the promises You give to Your people today. Thank You that we have hope of eternity with You through Your sacrifice. We have security in today through Your promises. Your Holy Spirit comforts us as we walk in this world and admonishes us that we might avoid sin. Lord Jesus, for the hurting and the sick, I humbly request Your healing touch, whether here or in heaven. Lord, for the innocent, the abused, the destitute, the captive, and the lost, please meet each one where they are. Lord, let the truth be known. Let people see that You are holy and Your ways are righteous, good, and the only way to life. Lord Jesus, please restore integrity, honor, morality, and justice. Please raise up leaders who will defend the innocent, protect the helpless, speak the truth, and love others more than themselves. Lord, I lift up my husband and my sons, please teach them to be men of integrity and truth, honorable before You and others. Lord, I lift up my daughters and humbly request that You teach them to be women of virtue, hard working, generous, hospitable, and full of love. Lord, please help me to inspire them, to encourage them, to speak words of truth with love and compassion. Lord Jesus, please help us to live for You daily, bringing glory to Your name. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

Spring’s reminder

Matthew 24:32-33 NKJV — “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!”

As the trees return from their hibernation, seeds sprout into tiny plants, and bulbs rise from the earth in flower, my heart turns to the greatest story of all time: Jesus’s Resurrection and His promised return.

Matthew 25:31-32 NKJV — “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.
All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.

Jesus made it clear, He will return and judge the Earth.

For those who have salvation through Jesus Christ, it is a return anticipated with great joy.

Just as Spring is a time of new beginnings, so shall the return of Christ Jesus be for those who are saved by His grace.

But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Romans 3:21‭-‬26 NKJV

May each of our hearts find hope in Jesus’s salvation and joy in His promise.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your salvation! Thank You for the reminder in the leafy shoots of the trees and the tiny plants pushing up through the soil. Lord, thank You that every winter when things seem dead and lifeless, there’s the promise of warmer weather and new life bursting forth. Lord, may these things in nature turn our hearts and minds to Your Word and Your promises. Lord, may we walk with integrity and truth, wise and honorable servants who will be found doing the will of the Master when You return. Thank You that Your Word is truth. Thank You for Your wondrous works. May my life bring glory to Your name, Jesus. Amen.

Promise

Many things are worthy of remembrance.

Few are as important as the promises of God.

When relating to a friend the struggles currently pulling at my heart she wisely pointed out the promises.

“Write them down. Reread them. Remember when you are looking back at this you will be able to smile.”

How right she is.

So here are a few I am writing down to focus on as I walk forward.

Ps. 37:5-6
“Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn.”

Prov. 3:5-6
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

2 Cor. 9:8 “God is able to make all grace abound to you,  so that in all things at all times,  having all that you need,  you will abound in every good work.”

Ps. 42:5 ” Why are you downcast, O my soul?  Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God,  for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”

How blessed am I.
No matter the circumstances I can rest in the Lord.