The opposite of anticipation

Like the frost covering the ground this morning, my unacknowledged fear had coated my outlook.

Dread, had coated my attitude and I’d walked in that for days, unaware of the distortion of my perspective.

The realization that I’d been dreading this day hit me this morning.

Which is embarrassing, but true.

Where’s the fear coming from?

The Lord pointed directly to my fear while I was praying.

After all this time of chronic illness, I’m afraid of the unknown.

Which is why it’s embarrassing to admit my fear, because the future is always an unknown for us, but it’s never an unknown for Jesus.

In prayer, He showed me that my unwillingness to try a new doctor or medication is a failure to trust Him.

He reminded me that when I was the sickest I’ve been with this, I had the opportunity to share the love of Jesus with many.

He also reminded me, that He is in charge of all these things and I should never dread the unknown, because no matter what, He is with me.

It’s funny how we can hide our true feelings from others and ourselves, but never from God.

I’m so thankful He has revealed that which was lurking in my heart, so I can be honest about it, repent for it, and turn to Jesus to heal and restore.

James 5:16 KJV — Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for showing me my heart to clearly and for restoring me to faith, trust, and love. Lord, thank You for Your patience with me. I’m so grateful for Your gentle correction and Your love. Lord Jesus, please continue to teach me through Your Word, that I might not sin against You. Thank You for life experiences which bring out what is in my heart and draws attention to the areas which need Your touch. Thank You for Your promises and the joy of Your salvation. Lord Jesus, I know You are walking with me always. Thank You for Your faithfulness, mercy, and grace. I love You, Jesus. Amen.

February 1, 2022

Today’s prayer:

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. The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore.
Psalms 121:1‭-‬8 NKJV

Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your promises. Lord Jesus, I praise Your holy name! Your salvation is our security. Your Word is our solid place. You alone are worthy of all glory, honor, and praise. May our hearts be steadfast before You. May our minds be filled with Your truth. May our feet walk in Your ways and our lips speak Your praises. Lord Jesus, You alone are God Almighty. You alone know what is best. Please help us to hear Your voice and to obey You, not following after our own ideas or desires. Thank You, Lord, for sustaining us. Please continue to heal the sick, to return the prodigal, to help the helpless, and to save the lost. May the whole earth be filled with the knowledge of Your glory! Amen.

Beginning with prayer

1 Thessalonians 5:17 NKJV — pray without ceasing,

It’s one of many instructions given to the Thessalonian church.

The message is profound, but often questioned.

“How do I pray without ceasing?”

It’s a two fold instruction.

First, we are to live our lives completely surrendered to Jesus Christ, we are to abide in Him.

John 15:4 KJV — Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

We abide in Jesus by following His commands and growing in our relationship with Him through time in His Word and prayer.

This abiding isn’t a now and then thing, but something we do throughout our day.

It’s a life which is dependent upon Jesus Christ, not their own efforts.

Proverbs 3:5-6NKJV — Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

We should not stop seeking our Lord’s will, no matter our activities or location.

Yet, the other part of this is our responsibility as children of God to intercede.

Prayer without ceasing means we lift up those requests the Lord places on our hearts until He answers.

Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ” Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”
Luke 18:1‭-‬8 NKJV

Intercessory prayer is a response to the Holy Spirit’s leading and should be an out pouring of our love and devotion to Christ.

For Jesus, Himself, prayed for others. (John 17:6-26)

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.”
John 17:20‭-‬23 NKJV

Both abiding and intercession begin with praying.

Matthew 7:7-8 NKJV — “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”

Let us begin each day with prayer and be blessed by offering Him the first fruits of our day.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for Your Word and Your instruction. Lord, thank You that You want a personal relationship with each one of us. Thank You for the privilege of prayer. Lord, to be able to seek Your face daily and to stand before You lifting up others is such a wonderful gift! Lord, please help me not only to look to my own interests, but to the interests of others. Please help me to begin and end my day with prayer, seeking You throughout. Lord, please help me to be honorable and loving before You and others. Lord, please keep me from those things which grieve Your Holy Spirit. Lord, please help me to be wise and discerning, not blind to sin or my own areas of weakness. Lord, please protect me from the snares of the enemy. Thank You for Your love, Your righteousness, Your faithfulness. Please teach me today and help me to be an example to others, that they might long to be closer to You. Thank You, Jesus! Amen.

Trusting…

God knows what I need far more than I do.

My own understanding is not only short-sighted, it’s tainted.

Sin distorts my ability to perceive things accurately.

Therefore, my heart must trust in the Lord and His Word.

Proverbs 3:5 NKJV — Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;

Walking in this means surrendering my own opinions on what is best and chosing to place myself in the hands of God by following His commands.

Reason alone might argue the antiquity of scripture renders it out dated and unconventional, placing it’s instructions on the shelf as “good for only a season” which has long passed.

Yet to this argument we find God’s response:

2 Timothy 3:16 KJV — All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Our daily choice is whether we apply God’s Word to our lives or walk in our own ways.

Proverbs 3:6 NKJV — In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

Trusting God, is choosing to follow Him, with our cross upon our shoulder, our eyes fixed upon His truth, and a heart completely surrendered to the One who loved us first and best.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You that no matter the circumstances I can rest in You and find comfort in scripture. Lord, thank You for this season I’m currently in. Thank You for teaching me so many things and walking me forward into each day. Lord Jesus, thank You for Your love and how perfect Your perspective is. Thank You that I can know my soul is safe with You and there’s nothing more comforting then that. I praise Your holy name, Lord! Thank You for Your truth! May my life bring glory to Your name. Amen.

The hands of a child

Matthew 18:1-5NKJV — At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.”

To fully grasp the point of these words one needs to understand children, little children specifically.

Watching a young child speaks volumes.

A child’s hands is how they explore their world and how they express themselves.

Those hands can say: cherished.

They will clutch tightly to a favorite toy with one hand while busy about life with the other.

Those hands can say: ignorant.

Because of their very limited understanding, they often grasp things which are dangerous to them, not realizing what hurt truly is.

Those hands can say: emotion.

A child might softly stroke another, showing their love, or strike out, showing their frustration.

Those hands can say: learning.

When they’ve industriously unrolled a new round to t.p. or filled the CD slot with coins.

Those hands can say: joy.

While splashing and scooping and pouring bath water from one receptacle to another, everything about them tells of their enjoyment.

Those hands can say: secure.

By willingly throwing aside whatever to reach both up to their father.

Before their pink lips can form the words, “hold me!” their hands speak.

It’s not a half-hearted request, but an earnest plea.

Those fingers and arms are at their fullest extent, the longing of the heart is so evident in those wee hands.

For there is such innocence and trust in a little child who is loved and cherished.

Their small countenance is completely altered when the plea is heard and they snuggle safely into the neck and shoulder of their adored father.

That is how we should love our Heavenly Father.

The faith, trust, and security of a little child in their earthly father is what our hearts need to learn to find in God.

Jesus showed us what that looked like.

He spoke of it clearly and then lived it out daily.

We have so much to learn from a little child.

Matthew 18:10 NKJV — “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.”

Let us, each one, find inspiration in the faith of a little child.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your showing us what love and trust in God looks like. Thank You that we have Your Word to learn from and Your example to follow. Lord, thank You that no matter what kind of earthly father we have, You show us what we have in our Heavenly Father. Lord, please continue to help me to have child-like faith. To throw aside everythingy, that I might cling to You alone. Lord, especially when I’m struggling, remind me of the security I have in Your salvation and the love of my Heavenly Father. Thank You so much for all You have done on my behalf. I love You, Jesus. Amen.

December 3

Today’s prayer:

Nehemiah 8:10 NKJV — Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word. Lord, I know these words “the joy of the Lord is your strength” were given to the children of Israel at a specific time and place. Lord, the truth of it resonates with my heart this morning. Lord, I can find joy in You and I can walk in Your ways. I can rest in Your love and find strength in the joy which Your salvation brings. Lord, nothing is as important as Your will in my life. Nothing is as precious as Your sacrifice for me. Lord, I love You and I thank You for Your love. I pray You are glorified today, for in my weakness You are strong. Blessed be the name of the Lord! Amen.

Behind the fear

Fear is like thick fog.

It hides some things, but accentuates others.

The truth of a circumstance, becomes shrouded in the emotion and only part of the real picture is seen.

That’s what I recently experienced.

It began with our display case.

Handsome, set it up and then began to step back from it.

My heart was suddenly gripped with fear that it was going to tip over, so I reacted.

I quickly stepped closer, extending my arms in an effort to “catch” it.

This was completely ridiculous on my part.

Not only am I physically unable to catch a piece of furniture, if it were falling.

The damage to myself and the piece would be compounded.

Of course, it wasn’t tipping over.

My husband wouldn’t have let go if it was unstable.

Understandably, he was surprised by my actions and questioned me.

That’s when I realized I had been blinded by a moment of fear.

I couldn’t explain it.

However, I logged it as something to pray about.

The next two days I had similar experiences, but with a softer impact.

Both times involved a piece of furniture and I suddenly was gripped with fear of it falling over.

Due to my poor response with the display case, I was on guard and didn’t react, but instead was increasing my need to pray about this same unreasonable fear.

I knew I needed to turn the fear over to the Lord.

Which I did and He showed me what was behind it.

When I was a young child I grew up in earthquake country.

My memory is dotted with many earthquakes and how they affected me.

Most were completely harmless.

But the consequence of living in that region was everything had to be hooked to a wall or supported in some way or else the next earthquake would tip it over.

This experience is good knowledge for those living in that area, but it’s completely unnecessary where we live.

Thus, my unreasonable fear was dealt with completely.

The Lord showed me what the full truth is and I’ve found joy in being able to trust God in a new area of my heart.

His Word is true and has been my direction.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5‭-‬6 NKJV

I don’t have to allow my emotions, especially fear, to force me into action or to create worry.

I can rest in Him and take everything, including my unreasonable fears, to Him.

My heart finds peace in knowing that I am leaning on Jesus rather than my own understanding.

Do not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; For the Lord will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught.
Proverbs 3:25‭-‬26 NKJV

Psalm 115:11 KJV — Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank You for Your truth. Lord, thank You for revealing what I was afraid of. Thank You for showing me the truth. Lord, please continue to teach me how to walk with You and to fear You alone. Lord, please continue to help me to turn to You for all things. Lord, thank You for Your peace which fills my heart when I rest in You. Lord Jesus, thank You that there is nothing to fear because my soul is safe with You. Thank You for Your love. I love You. Amen.

Stuff

Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” Luke 12:15 NLT

Because our possessions can be a blessing or a snare.

For those who are called by Christ’s name, it is vital we realize nothing belongs to us.

Not even ourselves.

Psalm 100:3 NKJV — Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Thus, whatever we have or do not have, is not where our trust, our value, or our provision comes from.

For followers of Christ, our security, our identity, our salvation comes from Jesus alone.

John 15:5 KJV — I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

That’s why Jesus taught his disciples not to worry about material possessions.

Matthew 6:31-33 NKJV — “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

The key is trusting God with all and living daily with gratitude.

Instruction on how to do these things are found in God’s Word, which is also where we find the warning to guard against the trap greed

It is a dangerous and slippery slope.

Once the choice is made, although possibly unconsciously, what is solid and secure slides quickly into a never ending burning desire for more.

Jesus’s freedom from sin means we need not live in such captivity.

When we realize sin has tripped us up in any area, Jesus offers forgiveness and encouragement to repent and turn away from this self destruction.

The choice lies with us.

Do we repent and turn away from sin or do make excuses to try and hold on to just enough to get categorized as “fence sitters”?

Jesus’s words make it obvious what is truly valuable.

“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”
Luke 12:21 NLT

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for salvation. Lord, please help me to guard against greed and the cares of this world. Lord, thank You for the opportunity to learn from Your Word what is of worth. Lord Jesus, thank You so much for salvation and the hope of heaven. Please help me to be a good steward with the stuff You have placed in my care, help me never forget it is Yours, not mine. Lord, please keep me from pride, that I might not sin against You. Lord, please continue to help me to trust You for daily needs and to walk in Your truth with joy. Thank You, Lord for so many opportunities to learn and to grow closer to You. I love You, Jesus. Amen.

November 4

Today’s prayer:

James 1:5-7 NKJV — If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;

Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your promises. Lord, please guide us today in Your wisdom. Lord, please make it clear what is right, true, and good. Please keep us from evil and shine Your Word into our hearts and minds. Lord, please let us not be double-minded, but rather focused upon You and Your Word. Lord, please guard us from those things which would lead us astray. Please help us to see past what “looks good” and into the truth. Lord, please, show us our sins, that we might repent quickly. Reveal the lies of the enemy, that we might cling to truth alone. Lord, please remove any idol we have set up in our hearts, for we know You will not share first place. Lord, You alone deserve to be first in our hearts, please help us to be humble before, casting out anything which would come between us and You. Nothing is worth losing our souls for, but often, Lord, we are like very young children, we cling to that which we don’t even realize we are holding on to. Lord, thank You for Your patience. Thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank You for Your love. I trust You. I love You. I praise Your holy name, Jesus! Amen.

A chance to praise the Lord

It was in the middle of the night.

The Lord had spoken to my heart, I needed to take my medicine.

I’m so thankful for migraine medicine which helps.

So, I got up and took it.

I’ll be honest, I was feeling rather discouraged.

Today we have big plans for working on our new house.

“Lord, I won’t be able to do anything if I have I migraine.”

Silence.

Then I realized my error.

“Lord, I’m sorry.”

Deep breath.

“Lord, thank You for this migraine, because I know You are going to work through the circumstances and bring out something good. I know it is in my weakness You are strong.”

(Just to clarify, I don’t think God “made me” have a migraine and I wasn’t thanking Him for it as an acknowledgement that He gave it. The migraine was the consequence of doing so much this week. Rather, I was thanking God in advance for what I knew would be Him working through my restrictions.)

And I was able to go back to sleep.

Which in itself is a miracle.

Normally, when I’m hurting like that I can’t sleep at all and if it continues I become very sick.

God answered my concerns within a few moments and I am so thankful!

When I woke this morning my headache was much better.

Handsome and I discussed our plans and he decided it would be best for me to remain in bed today.

He and Jase are going to work on the new house.

But before they left he brought me breakfast.

What a wonderful blessing!

I’m so thankful to God for His provision.

I know He’s going to supply all our needs and work through each circumstance, and I praise God for the ability to support my husband and son in prayer throughout the day.

2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV — And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your faithfulness. In You are we sustained. In You we have life abundantly. Lord, thank You so much for teaching us how to rest in You and not to lean on our own understanding. Lord, please supply all my husband and son need today and provide a way through each detail. Lord, You know what is required and we look to You with expectation, not to fulfill our ideas of how to do all, but rather to be the One who tells us what Your plans are. Thank You for Your faithfulness, Your salvation, and Your strength. I love You, Jesus! Amen.