May 5 You reach around the world to save

Lord God, You amaze me at how You use simple, ordinary people, men and women, to accomplish Your purpose.  You sent believers all the way to Moab, at least sixty miles across the desert during a famine to reach Your faithful servant Ruth.

She made the famous statement, “Where you go I will go, where you stay I will stay, your people will be my people and your God my God” to her mother-in-law Naomi.   Her faith and trust in You led her to be part of Your amazing plan of salvation, as she was in the lineage You were born into.

Here in the flesh You stopped in a Samaritan town and spoke to an immoral woman; something a respectable Jew would not have done.  And in doing so, brought her the message of Your salvation.  Through her, You saved many Samaritans that day.

You chose for me to be born into a believing family.  Wherever I was, You were there with me: Texas, North Carolina, Georgia, New Jersey, France, Arkansas, Arizona, Kansas, Virginia, Colorado.  All through those formative years, You made Your presence known to me.  Even though everything else about my life changed: house, school, church, community, friends; You were always present.

There are so many who still do not believe You are who You are – Creator, Savior, King of Kings, Master, Wonderful Counselor, the One True God.  But I know that You will move heaven and earth to reach them.

You can use natural and divine events, travel across continents, reach into unrespectable communities, to make Yourself known.

You can speak through a hurricane or a whisper, reveal Yourself in a majestic mountain or a delicate flower.  You can bring unity and salvation from disasters.

So I trust You can bring the loved ones I pray for to a saving knowledge of You.

Help me do my part.  I will pray.  I will let them see me praise You in good times and in bad.  I will love them, and do my best to give them godly assistance and direction.

Show me when to speak and when to hold my tongue.   Show me how to behave in a way that will draw them to You.  Help me remove any stumbling block that would keep them from coming to You.

Lord I thank You and praise You in advance for the celebration in heaven when they come to know You as Savior and live to glorify Your Name!  Amen

Ruth 1:1-22; John 4:4-42

I am made and known by God

Oh Father!  There is no person or created being like You!  Nothing on earth, or beneath the earth, or in the heavens above.

There is no other who knows me inside and out.  Although billions and billions of people have lived, You are personally familiar with who I am.  You recognize me; know what I do, when I come and where I go, when I lie down and when I get up.

You also know me on the inside: my thoughts, my mind, my heart, and my  motivation for all I do.  Before I form a sentence, You know what I will say before I speak it.

You are everywhere at all times.  There is no place to hide from Your presence.  I could go as far as is humanly possible, into the depths of the earth, or beneath the sea, or out into the vastness of space beyond the other planets and stars; and You would already be there.

There is nothing that can conceal me from Your watchful eye.  Even darkness does not prevent You from seeing me.

In one way, You are like a parent who knows their child.  A parent learns the aptitudes and personality of their child so well that the child’s actions do not surprise the parent.  Even motivation can be seen sometimes because children are often so transparent in their behaviors.

Because they are younger and they have limited ability to think and reason, a parent can often protect and teach them.  But You are much more than simply older and wiser than me.  As a child is amazed by the power and ability and wisdom of a parent, I am amazed by You – to the zillionth power!

In Your sovereignty and power, You created my body, my mind, my spirit – before I was even born.  You formed all that would be me in my mother’s womb.  How amazing is that?

By Your design I have two hands with the ability to work and craft, and gently hold a baby.  By Your design I have two eyes that can see the wonder You created in the beauty of the earth: flowers, birds, mountains, oceans, a sunrise.  You gave me ears to hear, a brain that thinks, and a mouth that speaks.

You chose when I would be born, where, and to whom.  And You will close my eyes when my time on earth is ended.

In all this, You gave me the ability to know You.  As You reveal Yourself to me in Your Word, and as we communicate in prayer, I am blown away by who You are.  Your thoughts, Your creativity defy human imagination and understanding.  They are too wonderful for me.  And I am blessed beyond measure to know You.

Continue to lead me, teach me, test me, mature me, Father.  Know me.  And let me know You.  Amen

Psalm 139:1-24

May 5 You reach around the world to save

Lord God, You amaze me at how You use simple, ordinary people, men and women, to accomplish Your purpose.  You sent believers all the way to Moab, at least sixty miles across the desert during a famine to reach Your faithful servant Ruth.

She made the famous statement, “Where you go I will go, where you stay I will stay, your people will be my people and your God my God” to her mother-in-law Naomi.   Her faith and trust in You led her to be part of Your amazing plan of salvation, as she was in the lineage You were born into.

Here in the flesh You stopped in a Samaritan town and spoke to an immoral woman; something a respectable Jew would not have done.  And in doing so, brought her the message of Your salvation.  Through her, You saved many Samaritans that day.

You chose for me to be born into a believing family.  Wherever I was, You were there with me: Texas, North Carolina, Georgia, New Jersey, France, Arkansas, Arizona, Kansas, Virginia, Colorado.  All through those formative years, You made Your presence known to me.  Even though everything else about my life changed: house, school, church, community, friends; You were always present.

There are so many who still do not believe You are who You are – Creator, Savior, King of Kings, Master, Wonderful Counselor, the One True God.  But I know that You will move heaven and earth to reach them.

You can use natural and divine events, travel across continents, reach into unrespectable communities, to make Yourself known.

You can speak through a hurricane or a whisper, reveal Yourself in a majestic mountain or a delicate flower.  You can bring unity and salvation from disasters.

I trust You can bring the loved ones I pray for to a saving knowledge of You.

Help me do my part.  I will pray.  I will let them see me praise You in good times and in bad.  I will love them, and do my best to give them godly assistance and direction.

Show me when to speak and when to hold my tongue.   Show me how to behave in a way that will draw them to You.  Help me remove any stumbling block that would keep them from coming to You.

Lord I thank You and praise You in advance for the celebration in heaven when they come to know You as Savior and live to glorify Your Name!  Amen

Ruth 1:1-22; John 4:4-42

June 21 In You I am made and known

Oh Father!  There is no person or created being like You!  Nothing on earth, or beneath the earth, or in the heavens above.

There is no other who knows me inside and out.  Although billions and billions of people have lived, You are personally familiar with who I am.  You recognize me; know what I do, when I come and where I go, when I lie down and when I get up.

You also know me on the inside: my thoughts, my mind, my heart, and my  motivation for all I do.  Before I form a sentence, You know what I will say before I speak it.

You are everywhere at all times.  There is no place to hide from Your presence.  I could go as far as is humanly possible, into the depths of the earth, or beneath the sea, or out into the vastness of space beyond the other planets and stars; and You would already be there.

There is nothing that can conceal me from Your watchful eye.  Even darkness does not prevent You from seeing me.

In one way, You are like a parent who knows their child.  A parent learns the aptitudes and personality of their child so well that the child’s actions do not surprise the parent.  Even motivation can be seen sometimes because children are often so transparent in their behaviors.

Because they are younger and they have limited ability to think and reason, a parent can often protect and teach them.  But You are much more than simply older and wiser than me.  As a child is amazed by the power and ability and wisdom of a parent, I am amazed by You – to the zillionth power!

In Your sovereignty and power, You created my body, my mind, my spirit – before I was even born.  You formed all that would be me in my mother’s womb.  How amazing is that?

By Your design I have two hands with the ability to work and craft, and gently hold a baby.  By Your design I have two eyes that can see the wonder You created in the beauty of the earth: flowers, birds, mountains, oceans, a sunrise.  You gave me ears to hear, a brain that thinks, and a mouth that speaks.

You chose when I would be born, where, and to whom.  And You will close my eyes when my time on earth is ended.

In all this, You gave me the ability to know You.  As You reveal Yourself to me in Your Word, and as we communicate in prayer, I am blown away by who You are.  Your thoughts, Your creativity defy human imagination and understanding.  They are too wonderful for me.  And I am blessed beyond measure to know You.

Continue to lead me, teach me, test me, mature me, Father.  Know me.  And let me know You.  Amen

Psalm 139:1-24

May 5 To save You reach around the world

Lord God, You amaze me at how You use simple, ordinary people, men and women, to accomplish Your purpose.  You sent believers all the way to Moab, at least sixty miles across the desert during a famine to reach Your faithful servant Ruth.

She made the famous statement, “Where you go I will go, where you stay I will stay, your people will be my people and your God my God” to her mother-in-law Naomi.   Her faith and trust in You led her to be part of Your amazing plan of salvation, as she was in the lineage You were born into.

Here in the flesh You stopped in a Samaritan town and spoke to an immoral woman; something a respectable Jew would not have done.  And in doing so, brought her the message of Your salvation.  Through her, You saved many Samaritans that day.

You chose for me to be born into a believing family.  Wherever I was, You were there with me: Texas, North Carolina, Georgia, New Jersey, France, Arkansas, Arizona, Kansas, Virginia, Colorado.  All through those formative years, You made Your presence known to me.  Even though everything else about my life changed: house, school, church, community, friends; You were always there.

There are so many who still do not believe You are who You are – Creator, Savior, King of Kings, Master, Wonderful Counselor, the One True God.  But I know that You will move heaven and earth to reach them.

You can use natural and divine events, travel across continents, reach into unrespectable communities, to make Yourself known.

You can speak through a hurricane or a whisper, reveal Yourself in a majestic mountain or a delicate flower.   You can speak through and in spite of  pandemic  and bring unity and salvation from a disaster.

I trust You can bring the loved ones I pray for to a saving knowledge of You.

Help me do my part.  I will pray.  I will let them see me praise You in good times and in bad.  I will love them, and do my best to give them godly assistance and direction.

Show me when to speak and when to hold my tongue.   Show me how to behave in a way that will draw them to You.  Help me remove any stumbling block that would keep them from coming to You.

Lord I thank You and praise You in advance for the celebration in heaven when they come to know You as Savior and live to glorify Your Name!  Amen

Ruth 1:1-22; John 4:4-42

June 21 In You I am made and known

Oh Father!  There is no person or created being like You!  Nothing on earth, or beneath the earth, or in the heavens above.

There is no other who knows me inside and out.  Although billions and billions of people have lived, You are personally familiar with who I am.  You recognize me; know what I do, when I come and where I go, when I lie down and when I get up.

You also know me on the inside: my thoughts, my mind, my heart, and my  motivation for all I do.  Before I form a sentence, You know what I will say before I speak it.

You are everywhere at all times.  There is no place to hide from Your presence.  I could go as far as is humanly possible, into the depths of the earth, or beneath the sea, or out into the vastness of space beyond the other planets and stars; and You would already be there.

There is nothing that can conceal me from Your watchful eye.  Even darkness does not prevent You from seeing me.

In one way, You are like a parent who knows their child.  A parent learns the aptitudes and personality of their child so well that the child’s actions do not surprise the parent.  Even motivation can be seen sometimes because children are often so transparent in their behaviors.

Because they are younger and they have limited ability to think and reason, a parent can often protect and teach them.  But You are much more than simply older and wiser than me.  As a child is amazed by the power and ability and wisdom of a parent, I am amazed by You – to the zillionth power!

In Your sovereignty and power, You created my body, my mind, my spirit – before I was even born.  You formed all that would be me in my mother’s womb.  How amazing is that?

By Your design I have two hands with the ability to work and craft, and gently hold a baby.  By Your design I have two eyes that can see the wonder You created in the beauty of the earth: flowers, birds, mountains, oceans, a sunrise.  You gave me ears to hear, a brain that thinks, and a mouth that speaks.

You chose when I would be born, where, and to whom.  And You will close my eyes when my time on earth is ended.

In all this, You gave me the ability to know You.  As You reveal Yourself to me in Your Word, and as we communicate in prayer, I am blown away by who You are.  Your thoughts, Your creativity defy human imagination and understanding.  They are too wonderful for me.  And I am blessed beyond measure to know You.

Continue to lead me, teach me, test me, mature me, Father.  Know me.  And let me know You.  Amen

Psalm 139:1-24

May 5 To save You reach around the world

Lord God, You amaze me at how You use simple, ordinary people, men and women, to accomplish Your purpose.  You sent believers all the way to Moab, at least sixty miles across the desert during a famine to reach Your faithful servant Ruth.

She made the famous statement, “Where you go I will go, where you stay I will stay, your people will be my people and your God my God” to her mother-in-law Naomi.   Her faith and trust in You led her to be part of Your amazing plan of salvation, as she was in the lineage You were born into.

Here in the flesh You stopped in a Samaritan town and spoke to an immoral woman; something a respectable Jew would not have done.  And in doing so, brought her the message of Your salvation.  Through her, You saved many Samaritans that day.

You chose for me to be born into a believing family.  Wherever I was, You were there with me: Texas, North Carolina, Georgia, New Jersey, France, Arkansas, Arizona, Kansas, Virginia, Colorado.  All through those formative years, You made Your presence known to me.  Even though everything else about my life changed: house, school, church, community, friends; You were always there.

There are so many who still do not believe You are who You are – Creator, Savior, King of Kings, Master, Wonderful Counselor, the One True God.  But I know that You will move heaven and earth to reach them.

You can use natural and divine events, travel across continents, reach into unrespectable communities, to make Yourself known.

You can speak through a hurricane or a whisper, reveal Yourself in a majestic mountain or a delicate flower.   You can speak through and in spite of  pandemic  and bring unity and salvation from a disaster.

I trust You can bring the loved ones I pray for to a saving knowledge of You.

Help me do my part.  I will pray.  I will let them see me praise You in good times and in bad.  I will love them, and do my best to give them godly assistance and direction.

Show me when to speak and when to hold my tongue.   Show me how to behave in a way that will draw them to You.  Help me remove any stumbling block that would keep them from coming to You.

Lord I thank You and praise You in advance for the celebration in heaven when they come to know You as Savior and live to glorify Your Name!  Amen

Ruth 1:1-22; John 4:4-42

Jun 21 In You I am made and known

Oh Father!  There is no person or created being like You!  Nothing on earth, or beneath the earth, or in the heavens above.

There is no other who knows me inside and out.  Although billions and billions of people have lived, You are personally familiar with who I am.  You recognize me; see what I do, when I come and where I go, when I lie down and when I get up.

Other people might also know me that well, but You also know me on the inside.  You know when I have a thought, and what it is.  You see into my mind and heart to know my motivation for all that I do.  When I am forming a sentence, You know what I will say even before I speak.

You are everywhere at all times.  Anyplace I can go You are already there and can see me.  There is no place to hide from Your presence.  I could go as far as is humanly possible, into the depths of the earth, or beneath the sea, or out into the vastness of space beyond the other planets and stars; and You would already be there.  There is nothing that can conceal me from Your watchful eye.  Even darkness does not prevent You from seeing me.

In one way, You are like a parent who knows their child.  A parent learns the aptitudes and personality of their child so well that the child’s actions do not surprise the parent.  Even motivation can be seen sometimes because children are often so transparent in their behaviors.

Because they are younger, they are limited in their ability and thinking so a parent can often hem them in to protect and teach them.  But You are much more than simply older and wiser than me, as a parent is to a child.  As a child is amazed by the power and ability and wisdom of a parent, I am amazed by You – to the zillionth power!

In Your sovereignty and power, You created my body, my mind, my spirit – before I was even born.  You formed all that would be me in my mother’s womb.  How amazing is that?   You have the power of life!

It is by Your design that I have two hands that give me the ability to work and craft, and gently hold a baby.  It is by Your design that I have two eyes that can see the wonder You created in the beauty of the earth: flowers, birds, mountains, oceans, a sunrise.  You gave me ears that hear, a brain that thinks, a mouth that speaks.

You chose when I would be born, where, and to whom.  And You will close my eyes when my time on earth is ended.

In all this, You gave me the ability to know You.  As You reveal Yourself to me in Your Word, and as we communicate in prayer, I am blown away by who You are.  Your thoughts, Your creativity defy human imagination and understanding.  They are too wonderful for me.  And I am blessed beyond measure to know You.

Continue to lead me, teach me, test me, mature me, Father.  Know me.  And let me know You.  Amen

Psalm 139:1-24

Apr 12 I confess and You bless

O Almighty God!

O Lord who is omnipotent,

all powerful,

omnipresent,

at all places

at all times,

and omniscient,

knowing all things.  It is hard to imagine the scope and depth of Your power and presence because it is so far beyond anything that is humanly possible.

Forgive me when I forget that You know all things, and try to hide my sin from You.

How foolish of me to think that I can keep something hidden from You and go on like it never happened.  You knew that some of the Israelites held back plunder from the victory at Jericho.  And there were consequences for their disobedience.  It cost thirty-six men their lives in a battle, and ultimately, the lives of all those who hid their sin.

It is so human of me, and yet so wrong, to think I can ask You to answer my prayers with blessing, when I am hiding sin.  I cannot expect You to bless me in my marriage, for instance, if I am gossiping, spreading disunity among my friends.  Before I can ask for Your favor, there are things I need to confess.

It’s not that I am telling You something You don’t already know.  The Greek word for confess is “homologo.”  It means “same word.”  So I am simply agreeing with what You already know; and with Your assessment that my action or attitude is sinful.

And You promise that when I confess my sin and turn from it, You are faithful, and will forgive my sin and cleanse me from all unrighteousness and guilt.

Just like the Prodigal Son, when I return to You and confess my sin, You run to me, throw Your arms around me and celebrate my return to right relationship with You!

O Father, I desire miraculous victories like the Battle of Jericho in my life.  Keep me from temptation.  Help me quickly see sin for what it is and turn from it.

And when I stray from You, bring me to my senses and set my feet back on the path to You.  That is the path of blessing and victory! Amen

Joshua 7:1-15; Luke 15:11-24; I John 1:9   

Jan 29 Omnipresent

Father, I truly believe that You created the heavens and the earth. And that everything in it belongs to You.

It blows my mind when I’m at a stoplight.

I sit there in my car and marvel that no matter where I am, You are there with me.

And You have a specific awareness of who I am, where I am going, what I am thinking, the condition of my heart, spirit, and all that concerns me. You even know the number of hairs on my head.

Then I look up and realize You are also with every other person there at that intersection – knowing who they are, where they are going, what is happening in their lives, the condition of their hearts and their spirits

It’s Your quality of omnipresence.

Not only there at my intersection, but also everyone at every intersection up the road, and in my town. Beyond that, You are present with every person at every intersection in other towns, and in other states, in every country, every hemisphere, around the entire world! And that’s just people in their cars!

There are billions of people on this planet, and at any given moment, You are aware of each of them, and are present with them. Each one, every second of every day! It blows my mind.

Father, I love that You are omnipresent!  When I think of Your ability to be everywhere at the same time, I get a general sense of the great power You have, and think, “Of course, God is everywhere.”

But when I can actually picture specifics, like the number of people at my intersection, cars I can see, faces I can discern, and begin to multiply that by other familiar intersections, other towns; it quickly grows from proportions that I can quantify as impressive to numbers that are mind-boggling and totally beyond my comprehension.

And this is only one of Your amazing, immeasurable characteristics! No wonder Jesus said to his disciples, “with God all things are possible.”

“You are the King of glory. You are strong and mighty. You are mighty in battle. You are the Lord God Almighty.” And I am in awe of You.

Thank You for drawing near to me. Thank You that in Your power, You care for and love each one of Your creations.

I praise You that in Your unfathomable greatness reaching across the galaxy, You are a personal Father who leans down know me intimately. I am amazed by You.

Psalm 24:1-10

July 24: 4 Gifts: Prayer, Plans, Presence, Power

Father, there are so many comforts in this passage of Romans today. You are gracious to me in so many wonderful ways.

What a gift prayer is!

 

What an immeasurably awesome gift to be able to speak to and hear from the Creator of the Universe! Sometimes I am so filled with joy and thanks and praise, I hardly know how to express the overflow of my heart.   But Your Holy Spirit communicates for me what I do not know how to say.

Other times I am so filled with grief and sorrow I cannot even mouth the words for my crying and tears. And again, Your Holy Spirit knows my heart and conveys my requests for help to You.   Thank You for knowing me so well and providing for this meaningful non-verbal interaction.

Beyond prayer and communicating with You, I can know without a doubt, that You have my very best interest in mind and in Your plans for me. Because I love You and am Yours, I seek to know and do what You have purposed for my life. When I am in Your will, regardless of how things look to me from my limited perspective, I can trust that You have the power and the ability and the desire to work all things together for my good.

Father, help me know Your will so I can remain in it. Being obedient is how I can show I love You. There is nothing too difficult for You. And nothing limits You.

You have told me that nothing can separate me from Your love. No person, no trouble, no hardship, no persecution, no danger or sword, no famine or nakedness. “In all these things, I am more than a conqueror through You!” For “neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate me from Your love!”

With all the experiences and emotions that I have, how comforting to know that there is no power above or below, anywhere that will keep You away from me. You can span any distance, overcome any obstacle, move any object, overpower any influence. Your love is not dependent on me or on anything I do. I cannot mess up so badly that it would keep You away. You will always love me. It is Your character and Your promise.

Thank You for these words of comfort, for these promises I can count on. Thank You for being You. Amen

Romans 8:26-39

June 21 In You I am made and known

Oh Father! There is no person or created being like You! Nothing on earth, or beneath the earth, or in the heavens above. There is no other who knows me inside and out. Although billions and billions of people have lived, You are personally familiar with who I am. You recognize me; see what I do, when I come and where I go, when I lie down and when I get up.

Other people might also know me that well, but You also know me on the inside. You know when I have a thought, and what it is. You see into my mind and heart to know my motivation for all that I do. When I am forming a sentence, You know what I will say even before I speak.

You are everywhere at all times. Anyplace I can go You are already there and can see me. There is no place to hide from Your presence. I could go as far as is humanly possible, into the depths of the earth, or beneath the sea, or out into the vastness of space beyond the other planets and stars; and You would already be there. There is nothing that can conceal me from Your watchful eye. Even darkness does not prevent You from seeing me.

In one way, You are like a parent who knows their child. A parent learns the aptitudes and personality of their child so well that the child’s actions do not surprise the parent. Even motivation can be seen sometimes because children are often so transparent in their behaviors.

Because they are younger, they are limited in their ability and thinking so a parent can often hem them in to protect and teach them. But You are much more than simply older and wiser than me, as a parent is to a child. As a child is amazed by the power and ability and wisdom of a parent, I am amazed by You – to the zillionth power!

In Your sovereignty and power, You created my body, my mind, my spirit – before I was even born! You formed all that would be me in my mother’s womb. How amazing is that!   You have the power of life!

It is by Your design that I have two hands that give me the ability to work and craft, and gently hold a baby. It is by Your design that I have two eyes that can see the wonder You created in the beauty of the earth: flowers, birds, mountains, oceans, a sunrise! You gave me ears that hear, a brain that thinks, a mouth that speaks!

You chose when I would be born, where, and to whom! And You will close my eyes when my time on earth is ended.

In all this, You gave me the ability to know You. As You reveal Yourself to me in Your Word, and as we communicate in prayer, I am blown away by who You are. Your thoughts, Your creativity defy human imagination and understanding. They are too wonderful for me. And I am blessed beyond measure to know You.

Continue to lead me, teach me, test me, mature me, Father. Know me. And let me know You. Amen

Psalm 139:1-24

June 12 Thank You

“O Lord, hear my voice. Let Your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. If You, Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with You there is forgiveness.”

Thank You Lord, that You hear my voice and my prayer. Thank You that one of Your qualities is omnipresence: You can be everywhere at once. I don’t have to worry that You are too busy, or that I have to wait on the other people in the world for You to be listening and responding to me. Thank You that in the quietness of my heart, I can turn to You anytime and You are there.

Thank You that when I turn from my sin and ask for forgiveness, You remove my sin from me and never bring it up again. People remind me of my failures and mistakes, some more than others. But with You, there is never a backhanded comment, or dredging up my past faults.   When You forgive, it is over and done with.

Thank You for knowing that no one can stand when compared to Your standard and example of perfection without Your covering of mercy and righteousness. And thank You for providing exactly that in the blood You shed on the cross.   It completely pays the penalty my sins deserve.

“In Your Word I put my hope.” Its promises are true. Its instruction is sure.   Father, bring my loved ones to put their hope in You too.   In You, they will find unfailing love and full redemption. Turn their hearts back to You. Open their eyes to Your truth.

Pull back the veil of lies and deceit they have believed. Rip away the evil one’s trickery and schemes that have drawn them away from You. Help them see that You alone can redeem them. I wait in anticipation of their deliverance and salvation. Amen

Psalm 130:1-8

Apr 12 I confess and You bless

O Almighty God!

O Lord

who is omnipotent,

all powerful,

omnipresent,

at all places

at all times,

and omniscient, knowing all things. It is hard to imagine the scope and depth of Your power and presence because it is so far beyond anything that is humanly possible.

Forgive me when I forget that You know all things, and try to hide my sin from You. How foolish of me to think that I can keep something hidden from You and go on like it never happened. You knew that some of the Israelites held back plunder from the victory at Jericho. And there were consequences for their disobedience. It cost thirty-six men their lives in a battle, and ultimately, the lives of all those who hid their sin.

It is so human of me, and yet so wrong, to think I can ask You to answer my prayers with blessing, when I am hiding sin. I cannot expect You to bless me in my marriage, for instance, if I am gossiping, spreading disunity among my friends. Before I can ask for Your favor, there are things I need to confess.

It’s not that I am telling You something You don’t already know. The Greek word for confess is ‘homologo’ It means ‘same word’ So I am simply agreeing with what You already know; and with Your assessment that my action or attitude is sinful.

And You promise that when I confess my sin and turn from it, You are faithful, and will forgive my sin and cleanse me from all unrighteousness and guilt.

Just like the Prodigal Son, when I return to You and confess my sin, You run to me, throw Your arms around me and celebrate my return to right relationship with You!

O Father, I desire miraculous victories like the Battle of Jericho! Keep me from temptation. Help me quickly see sin for what it is and turn from it. And if I ever stray from You, bring me to my senses and set my feet back on the path to You. That is the path of blessing and victory!  Amen

Joshua 5:13-7:15; Luke 15:11-24; I John 1:9  

Dec 14 I am so Jonah!

Father, what wonderful lessons I’ve learned from Jonah! And about Jonah and about You. He is so human… And You are so God…

You spoke to Jonah, giving him a view of Your plan for him and specific directions using the gifts and talents You placed in him.  And You speak to Your people today. You have given each of us gifts and talents to use in accordance with Your plan.  Help me hear Your voice clearly when You speak. Give me direction and a view of Your purpose for my gifts.

Jonah thought he could get away with being disobedient. He thought he could hide from You. Silly man. And silly me! There have been times when I did not follow Your direction. I never ended up in the belly of a great fish, but I did miss out on some wonderful opportunities. Remind me of that when I consider disobedience in the future.

You have everything under Your control! Not only did You see where Jonah went, meaning there in no place to hide from You; but You were in control of everything around him. The weather? You brought the storm! And calmed it. A large fish? You brought it to swallow Jonah, and it obeyed Your command to vomit him onto dry land. The same thing is true of the events and circumstances, relationships and opportunities in my life. Remind me that You see me wherever I am. And that there is nowhere I can go away from You. And nothing beyond Your power.

Jonah called out to You, “In [his] distress…”. Even when he thought his life was over, and knowing he had been disobedient, he prayed to You. There is no circumstance where I cannot call on You. It is never too late, I can never be too bad, I am never too far-gone.

You answered! Even in the bowels of death and disobedience, You heard and answered Jonah’s prayer and rescued him. You are a God of second chances! And third and fourth… You want Your people to be obedient. You coach them to win, giving them every opportunity to do so. And I am one of Your people. Thank You for giving me second chances and more. Thank You for always hearing my prayer and answering me.

Jonah obeyed eventually. What I take from this is: obey the first time – it will save me a lot of grief!

Thank You for this view into Jonah’s life. It is a view into my own. And into Your greatness. Because You are so God… And I am so human… Amen

Jonah 1:1-3:3