Mar 26 Help me hear

“We will listen and obey.”  This was the Israelites response to all You said on the mountain when they heard Your voice telling them how they should live.

Many things in the world keep me from hearing You.  Especially now, the world is a loud, noisy place, with so many voices that distract or actively deceive.

Those voices fill my mind with stress, fear, anger.  They are confusing, contradictory and portray hopelessness.  They tell me what I need and how I should live to be “accepted” and “successful” by the world’s standards.

They tempt me into materialism, humanism, and all kinds of ungodly ideologies.

So to “listen and obey” I must listen to You specifically and intentionally.  And live a lifestyle that purposely shows others what I believe.

Please remind me when I speak, act, or make a decision, that everything I do will either draw me closer to You, or move me away from You and Your will.  So let me listen carefully, and examine my thoughts, words, actions, and attitudes, to ensure that they are honorable.

When I am not speaking, my faith should still be obvious to others by my dress, my countenance, my attitudes, how I treat people. When people come to my home, they should see more than just the symbols of the world’s values.  They should sense Your peace. 

In my emails, tweets, posts and any other presentation to the world, I must be mindful that I represent You.  As a Christ-follower, my presence in others’ lives shows whether I truly listen and obey, or whether I am a Christian in name only.

When I feel overwhelmed by the world and all its noise, remind me to make time to hear from You.

I will listen.  And I will obey.  Amen

Deuteronomy 5:1-29

May 17 How do I PRAISE?

Psalm 113 uses the word “praise” five times in three verses.  It must be important.  And yet not a word I use much in everyday conversation.

Yet PRAISE is one very significant way I demonstrate that You are a part of my life.  I give honor, worship, adoration to You, God in recognition of who You are, and in gratitude and thanks for what You have done.

I like to use acrostics to help me remember things.  To help me make PRAISE an intentional, doable action  – I see PRAISE as

                                                Putting

                                                Real

                                                Adoration

                                                Into

                                                Situations

                                                Every day

To me that means:

Putting:  I intentionally and on purpose – do something

The groceries and the dishes don’t get put away unless someone does it.  It’s the same with Praise –it doesn’t just happen, someone has to do it.

Real:  in a genuine and sincere way, honest – not forced, not hurried

I take time to literally communicate to You.  Sometimes it’s by words, a statement or a prayer, sometimes I write it down in a letter or journal, or I might write a poem, or song – I might sing it!  Or just take a walk, taking a moment to speak to You in my heart.

Adoration:  my appreciation, thanks, gratitude, even simple acknowledgment of who You are and what You’re doing, and have the power to do.

I hardly ever take a drive, that I don’t notice the mountains, or the sky or sunset.  But I don’t say “Wow, Mother nature is something!”  No, I thank You as the Creator of it all for giving me such a beautiful world to live in and look at!

Into Situations:  into the middle of whatever circumstances come my way: good or bad, deserved or unfair, difficult and trying or pleasant and joyful.

So if I see my child being awesome, I thank You for making me a mother!  Or I pass a car accident, and ask You to help the people involved and strengthen the ones giving assistance, and then I thank You for protecting me from dangers, and all the accidents You have kept me from that never happened.

Every day:  on a daily basis.  I don’t wait for a holiday or Sunday to come around, but praise You spontaneously!

As things happen, thanks and appreciation is voiced.  It may sound silly or awkward at first, but the more I do it, it just becomes a way of life.

So P-R-A-I-S-E, Putting Real Adoration Into Situations Every day means:

Intentionally, genuinely and sincerely, take time to communicate to You, my appreciation, thanks and gratitude in the midst of whatever circumstances come my way on a daily basis.

Father, help me remember to fill my life with praise for You!  Amen

Psalm 113:1-3

Mar 26 Help me hear

“We will listen and obey.”  This was the Israelites response to all You said on the mountain when they heard Your voice telling them how they should live.

Many things in the world keep me from hearing You.  Especially now, the world is a loud, noisy place, with so many voices that distract or actively deceive.

Those voices fill my mind with stress, fear, anger.  They are confusing, contradictory and portray hopelessness.  They tell me what I need and how I should live to be “accepted” and “successful” by the world’s standards.

They tempt me into materialism, humanism, and all kinds of ungodly ideologies.

So to “listen and obey” I must listen to You specifically and intentionally.  And live a lifestyle that purposely shows others what I believe.

Please remind me when I speak, act, or make a decision, that everything I do will either draw me closer to You, or move me away from You and Your will.  So let me listen carefully, and examine my thoughts, words, actions, and attitudes, to ensure that they are honorable.

When I am not speaking, my faith should still be obvious to others by my dress, my countenance, my attitudes, how I treat people. When people come to my home, they should see more than just the symbols of the world’s values.  They should sense Your peace. 

In my emails, tweets, posts and any other presentation to the world, I must be mindful that I represent You.  As a Christ-follower, my presence in others’ lives shows whether I truly listen and obey, or whether I am a Christian in name only.

When I feel overwhelmed by the world and all its noise, remind me to make time to hear from You.

I will listen.  And I will obey.  Amen

Deuteronomy 5:1-29

May 17 How do I praise?

Psalm 113 uses the word “praise” five times in three verses.  It must be important.  And yet not one I use much in everyday conversation.

Yet PRAISE is one very significant way I demonstrate that You are a part of my life.  I give honor, worship, adoration to You, God in recognition of who You are, and in gratitude and thanks for what You have done.

I like to use acrostics to help me remember things.  To help me make PRAISE an intentional, doable action  – I see PRAISE as

                                                Putting

                                                Real

                                                Adoration

                                                Into

                                                Situations

                                                Every day

To me that means:

Putting:  I intentionally and on purpose – do something

The groceries and the dishes don’t get put away unless someone does it.  It’s the same with Praise –it doesn’t just happen, someone has to do it.

Real:  in a genuine and sincere way, honest – not forced, not hurried

I take time to literally communicate to You.  Sometimes it’s by words, a statement or a prayer, sometimes I write it down in a letter or journal, or I might write a poem, or song – I might sing it!  Or just take a walk, taking a moment to speak to You in my heart.

Adoration:  my appreciation, thanks, gratitude, even simple acknowledgment of who You are and what You’re doing, and have the power to do.

I hardly ever take a drive, that I don’t notice the mountains, or the sky or sunset.  But I don’t say “Wow, Mother nature is something!”  No, I thank You as the Creator of it all for giving me such a beautiful world to live in and look at!

Into Situations:  into the middle of whatever circumstances come my way: good or bad, deserved or unfair, difficult and trying or pleasant and joyful.

So if I see my child being awesome, I thank You for making me a mother!  Or I pass a car accident, and ask You to help the people involved and strengthen the ones giving assistance, and then I thank You for protecting me from dangers, and all the accidents You have kept me from that never happened.

Every day:  on a daily basis.  I don’t wait for a holiday or Sunday to come around, but praise You spontaneously!

As things happen, thanks and appreciation is voiced.  It may sound silly or awkward at first, but the more I do it, it just becomes a way of life.

So P-R-A-I-S-E, Putting Real Adoration Into Situations Every day means:

Intentionally, genuinely and sincerely, take time to communicate to You, my appreciation, thanks and gratitude in the midst of whatever circumstances come my way on a daily basis.

Father, help me remember to fill my life with praise for You!  Amen

Psalm 113:1-3

Apr 23 Time Management

O Father, You have always been my God.  Even before I knew who You were, I saw the beauty of Your creation.  You put the mountains in place, You created the seas and all that is in them.  Yet even before there was earth and sky, You were there.

You are “from everlasting to everlasting.”   You are Timeless.

You tell me “a thousand years is like a day in Your sight.” Your sense of time is far different from mine.  I cannot even imagine it.

So I ask You, who knows time and all things, to teach me to live each day to the fullest.  Teach me how to measure out my energy for what is important.

Do not let me fall victim to the “tyranny of the urgent.”  Help me put thought into setting my priorities for spending my time and my energy.

Many things of value are not urgent, but are significant.  If I only deal with the urgent, the important things slip by.

I desire to live intentionally; not let my life pass by without doing all I can to honor and glorify You.

But already, days slip by, weeks, seasons and even years; and I wonder where the time went.   Father, do not let one more day pass without my considering what You want me to accomplish.  And show me how to make time for it.

Give me a revelation, a vision for the next part of my life.  Show me how to get from here to there in steps I can see.  Help me know when something interrupts, whether it is a distraction or a divine opportunity.

I lay my life before You Lord.  Guide me.  Show me.   Thank You for the years I’ve already lived.  And let me live each new one for You.  Amen

Psalm 90:1-12

Mar 26 Help me hear

“We will listen and obey.”  This was the Israelites response to all You said on the mountain when they heard Your voice telling them how they should live.

Many things in the world keep me from hearing You.  Especially now, the world is a loud, noisy place, with so many voices that distract or actively deceive.

Those voices fill my mind with stress, fear, anger.  They are confusing, contradictory and portray hopelessness.  They tell me what I need and how I should live to be “accepted” and “successful” by the world’s standards.

They tempt me into materialism, humanism, and all kinds of ungodly ideologies.

So to “listen and obey” I must listen to You specifically and intentionally.  And live a lifestyle that purposely shows others what I believe.

Please remind me when I speak, act, or make a decision, that everything I do will either draw me closer to You, or move me away from You and Your will.  So let me listen carefully, and examine my thoughts, words, actions, and attitudes, to ensure that they are honorable.

When I am not speaking, my faith should still be obvious to others by my dress, my countenance, my attitudes, how I treat people.

In my emails, tweets, posts and any other presentation to the world, I must be mindful that I represent You.  As a Christ-follower, my presence in others’ lives shows whether I truly listen and obey, or whether I am a Christian in name only.

When I feel overwhelmed by the world and all its noise, remind me to make time to hear from You.

I will listen.  And I will obey.  Amen

Deuteronomy 5:1-29

Feb 17 Sacrifice for all

Lord God, it strikes me as I read this passage in Leviticus, that all these offerings are for unintentional sin.

This is a sin that the person is unaware of when they do it.  Then, when they become aware of their sin, they are to bring the appropriate animal, lay their hand on it as it is sacrificed in a way of transferring the sin to the animal who pays the price for the sin: death.  These are ways to restore relationship with You when there is no intent in the sin.

When the sin is deliberate, intentional, there is often no sacrifice, no substitute to bear the penalty.  Death is the penalty.  The person who sins is accountable for that debt.

But praise to You, Lord!  You have made another way for sinners to be restored into right relationship with You.

When Jesus came, He ate with and spent time with “sinners” to show them the good news.  There was now going to be a sacrifice that would pay the penalty for their sin!  The blood of the perfect Lamb of God, Your blood, would take away the sin of the world.  All the sin.

Because “Your love, Oh Lord, reaches to the heavens, and Your faithfulness stretches to the skies; because Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, and Your justice like the great deep,” You have preserved man, and provided him with salvation!

Both high and low among men and women and children can come to You and find refuge in the shadow of Your wings.  For within You is the fountain of life.

And when I have You, I have life!   Amen

Leviticus 4:1-5:19; Mark 2:13-17; Psalm 36:5-9

May 17 How do we praise?

Psalm 113 uses the word “praise” five times in three verses.  It must be important.  And yet not one I use much in everyday conversation.

Yet PRAISE is one very significant way I demonstrate that You are a part of my life.  I give honor, worship, adoration to You, God in recognition of who You are, and in gratitude and thanks for what You have done.

I like to use acrostics to help me remember things.  To help me make PRAISE an intentional, doable action  – I see PRAISE as

Putting

                                                Real

                                                Adoration

                                                Into

                                                Situations

                                                Every day

To me that means:

Putting:  I intentionally and on purpose – do something

The groceries and the dishes don’t get put away unless someone does it.  It’s the same with Praise –it doesn’t just happen, someone has to do it.

Real:  in a genuine and sincere way, honest – not forced, not hurried

I take time to literally communicate to You.  Sometimes it’s by words, a statement or a prayer, sometimes I write it down in a letter or journal, or I might write a poem, or song – I might sing it!  Or just take a walk, taking a moment to speak to You in my heart.

Adoration:  my appreciation, thanks, gratitude, even simple acknowledgment of who You are and what You’re doing, and have the power to do.

I hardly ever take a drive, that I don’t notice the mountains, or the sky or sunset.  But I don’t say “Wow, Mother nature is something!”  No, I thank You as the Creator of it all for giving me such a beautiful world to live in and look at!

Into Situations:  into the middle of whatever circumstances come my way: good or bad, deserved or unfair, difficult and trying or pleasant and joyful.

So if I see my child being awesome, I thank You for making me a mother!  Or I pass a car accident, and ask You to help the people involved and strengthen the ones giving assistance, and then I thank You for protecting me from dangers, and all the accidents You have kept me from that never happened.

Every day:  on a daily basis.  I don’t wait for a holiday or Sunday to come around, but praise You spontaneously!

As things happen, thanks and appreciation is voiced.  It may sound silly or awkward at first, but the more I do it, it just becomes a way of life.

So P-R-A-I-S-E, Putting Real Adoration Into Situations Every day means:

Intentionally, genuinely and sincerely, take time to communicate to You, my appreciation, thanks and gratitude in the midst of whatever circumstances come my way on a daily basis.

Father, help me remember to fill my life with praise for You!  Amen

Psalm 113:1-3

April 23 Time Management

O Father, You have always been my God.  Even before I knew who You were, I saw the beauty of Your creation.  You put the mountains in place, You created the seas and all that is in them.  Yet even before there was earth and sky, You were there.

You are “from everlasting to everlasting.”  Timeless

So I ask You, who knows time and all things, to teach me to live each day to the fullest.  Teach me how to measure out my energy for what is important.

Do not let me fall victim to the “tyranny of the urgent.”  Help me put thought into setting my priorities for spending my time and my energy.

Many things of value are not urgent, but are significant.  If I only deal with the urgent, the important things slip by.

I desire to live intentionally; not let my life pass by without doing all I can to honor and glorify You.

But already, days slip by, weeks, seasons and even years; and I wonder where the time went.   Father, do not let one more day pass that I do not consider what You want me to accomplish.  And show me how to make time for it.

Give me a revelation, a vision for the next part of my life.  Show me how to get from here to there in steps I can see.  Help me to know when something interrupts, whether it is a distraction or a divine opportunity.

I lay my life before You Lord.  Guide me.  Show me.   Thank You for the years I’ve already lived.  And let me live each new one for You.  Amen

Psalm 90:1-12

Mar 26 I will listen and obey

“We will listen and obey.”  This was the Israelites response to all You said on the mountain when they heard Your voice telling them how they should live.

Many things in the world keep me from hearing You.  Especially now, the world is a loud, noisy place, with so many voices that distract or actively deceive.

Those voices fill my mind with stress, fear, anger.  They are confusing, contradictory and portray hopelessness.  They tell me what I need and how I should live to be “accepted” and “successful” by the world’s standards.

They tempt me into materialism, humanism, and all kinds of ungodly ideologies.

I must first learn to balance what I hear from the world, with how much I listen to You.  And I must listen and obey.

That means I must listen specifically and intentionally.

Please remind me when I speak or act or make a decision, that everything I do will either draw me closer to You, or move me away from You and Your will.  So let me listen carefully, and examine my thoughts, words, actions, and attitudes, to ensure that they are honorable and do not cause distance or separation from You.

When I am not speaking, my faith should still be obvious to others by my dress, my countenance, my attitudes, how I treat others.

In my emails, tweets, facebook posts and any other presentation to the world, I must be mindful that I represent You.  As a Christ-follower, my presence in others’ lives shows whether I truly listen and obey, or whether I am a Christian in name only.

When I feel overwhelmed by the world and all its noise, remind me to make time to hear from You.

I will listen.  And I will obey.  Amen

Deuteronomy 5:1-6:9

May 17 How do I praise?

 

Psalm 113 uses the word “praise” five times in three verses.  It must be important.  And yet not one I use much in everyday conversation.

 

Yet PRAISE is one very significant way I demonstrate that You are a part of my life.  I give honor, worship, adoration to You, God in recognition of who You are, and in gratitude and thanks for what You have done.

I like to use acrostics to help me remember things.  To help me make PRAISE an intentional, doable action  – I see PRAISE as

Putting

Real

Adoration

Into

Situations

Every day

To me that means:

Putting:  I intentionally and on purpose – do something

The groceries and the dishes don’t get put away unless someone does it.  It’s the same with Praise –it doesn’t just happen, someone has to do it.

Real:  in a genuine and sincere way, honest – not forced, not hurried

I take time to literally communicate to You.  Sometimes it’s by words, a statement or a prayer, sometimes I write it down in a letter or journal, or I might write a poem, or song – I might sing it!  Or just take a walk, taking a moment to speak to You in my heart.

Adoration:  my appreciation, thanks, gratitude, even simple acknowledgment of who You are and what You’re doing, and have the power to do.

I hardly ever take a drive, that I don’t notice the mountains, or the sky or sunset.  But I don’t say “Wow, Mother nature is something!”  No, I thank You as the Creator of it all for giving me such a beautiful world to live in and look at!

Into Situations:  into the middle of whatever circumstances come my way: good or bad, deserved or unfair, difficult and trying or pleasant and joyful.

So if I see my child being awesome, I thank You for making me a mother!  Or I pass a car accident, and ask You to help the people involved and strengthen the ones giving assistance, and then I thank You for protecting me from dangers, and all the accidents You have kept me from that never happened.

Every day:  on a daily basis.  I don’t wait for a holiday or Sunday to come around, but praise You spontaneously!

As things happen, thanks and appreciation is voiced.  It may sound silly or awkward at first, but the more I do it, it just becomes a way of life.

So P-R-A-I-S-E, Putting Real Adoration Into Situations Every day means:

Intentionally, genuinely and sincerely, take time to communicate to You, my appreciation, thanks and gratitude in the midst of whatever circumstances come my way on a daily basis.

Father, help me remember to fill my life with praise for You!  Amen

Psalm 113:1-3

May 17 How do I praise?

Psalm 113 uses the word “praise” five times in three verses. That must mean it’s an important word. And yet not one I use much in everyday conversation.

Yet PRAISE is one very significant way I demonstrate that You are a part of my life. I give honor, worship, adoration to You, God in recognition of who You are, and in gratitude and thanks for what You have done.

I like to use acrostics to help me remember things.  To help me make PRAISE an intentional, doable action  – I see PRAISE as

Putting

Real

Adoration

Into

Situations

Every day

To me that means:

Putting:  I intentionally and on purpose – do something

The groceries and the dishes don’t get put away unless someone does it. It’s the same with Praise –it doesn’t just happen, someone has to do it.

Real:  in a genuine and sincere way, honest – not forced, not hurried

I take time to literally communicate to You.  Sometimes it’s by words, a statement or a prayer, sometimes I write it down in a letter or journal, or I might write a poem, or song – I might sing it! Or just take a walk, taking a moment to speak to You in my heart.

Adoration: my appreciation, thanks, gratitude, even simple acknowledgment of who You are and what You’re doing, and have the power to do.

I hardly ever take a drive, that I don’t notice the mountains, or the sky or sunset. Do I say ‘wow, Mother nature is something!’ No, I thank You as the Creator of it all for giving me such a beautiful world to live in and look at!

Into Situations: into the middle of whatever circumstances come my way: good or bad, deserved or unfair, difficult and trying or pleasant and joyful.

So if I see my child being awesome, I thank You for making me a mother! Or I pass a car accident, and ask You to help the people involved and strengthen the ones giving assistance, and then I thank You for protecting me from dangers, and all the accidents You kept me from that never happened.

Every day: on a daily basis. I don’t wait for a holiday or Sunday to come around, but praise You spontaneously!

As things happen, thanks and appreciation is voiced. It may sound silly or awkward at first, but the more I do it, it just becomes a way of life.

So P-R-A-I-S-E, Putting Real Adoration Into Situations Every day means:

Intentionally, genuinely and sincerely, take time to communicate to You, my appreciation, thanks and gratitude in the midst of whatever circumstances come my way on a daily basis.

Father, help me remember to fill my life with praise for You! Amen

Psalm 113:1-3

May 17 How do I praise?

Psalm 113 uses the word “praise” five times in three verses. That must mean it’s an important word. And yet not one I use much in everyday conversation.

One very significant way, I demonstrate that You are a part of my life Lord, is Praise. I give honor, worship, adoration to You, God in recognition of who You are, and in gratitude and thanks for what You have done.

I like to use acrostics to help me remember things.  To help me make PRAISE an intentional, doable action  – I see PRAISE as

Putting

Real

Adoration

Into

Situations

Every day

To me that means:

Putting:   intentionally and on purpose, I do something

The groceries and the dishes don’t get put away unless someone does it. It’s the same with Praise –it doesn’t just happen, someone has to do it.

Real:    in a genuine and sincere way, honest – not forced, not hurried

I take time to literally communicate to You.  Sometimes it’s by words, a statement or a prayer, sometimes I write it down in a letter or journal, or I might write a poem, or song – I might sing it! Or just take a walk or take a moment and speak to You in my heart.

Adoration:   my appreciation, thanks, gratitude, even simple acknowledgment of who You are and what You’re doing, and have the power to do.

I hardly ever take a drive, that I don’t notice the mountains, or the sky or sunset. Do I say ‘wow, Mother nature is something!’ No, I thank You as the Creator of it all for giving me such a beautiful world to live in and look at!

Into Situations:   in the midst of whatever circumstances come my way, good or bad, deserved or unfair, difficult and trying or pleasant and joyful.

So if I see my child being awesome, I thank You for making me a mother! Or I pass a car accident, and ask You to help the people involved and strengthen the ones giving assistance, and then I thank You for protecting me from dangers, all the accidents I never knew about because they didn’t happen.

Every day:   on a daily basis. I don’t wait for a holiday or Sunday to come around! But spontaneously!

As things happen, thanks and appreciation is voiced. It may sound silly or awkward at first, but the more I do it, it just becomes a way of life, life in You.

So P-R-A-I-S-E, Putting Real Adoration Into Situations Every day means:

Intentionally, genuinely and sincerely, take time to communicate to You, my appreciation, thanks and gratitude in the midst of whatever circumstances come my way on a daily basis. Father, help me remember to fill my life with praise for You! Amen

Psalm 113:1-3