May 9 Remembering 101

Lord, thank You for the reminders in scripture today.  Reminders of things You’ve already shown me this year, but bear repeating so I can really get it!  I need to mark the victories in my life, and trust that You can do much with little.

When You defeated the Philistines with Your thunder, Samuel set up a stone there and named it Ebenezer.  From the Hebrew “even” – pronounced eh-ben – meaning  stone and “ezer” meaning help: it is a “stone of help.”

Stones would last a long time, so for generations, when anyone passed by the “Stone of Help” they would be reminded that God helped and delivered them at this place in the battle against the Philistines.

I too can commemorate significant moments in my life with things that remind me of Your deliverance and impact.  It could be a piece of art, or jewelry, a song, poem or picture, something placed on my desk or walls or in my home or yard that has meaning to me.

Then when someone comments on it, I can give the reason for its significance.  That would be a fitting testimony to Your greatness.  More than that, whenever I see it, it would be an encouragement to me of Your faithfulness and power in my life.

When You took the small offering of a young boy, two fish and five barley rolls, and fed five thousand with it, with much left over to spare; it reminds me that whatever gifts I bring to You, You can bless and multiply and use for purposes to glorify Your name. 

On those days when I feel like I have little to offer, I will remember that when I give it to You, the result is not dependent on the size of the gift.  Whatever I bring, You can do and accomplish much more that I can even imagine. 

So I will learn what my gifts are, and give them over to You to multiply and use to bless others.

Thank You for these reminders today, Lord.  In remembering times and events where You impacted my life in significant ways, I will make my own “Ebenezers.” They will be reminders for me and markers for others.

Thank You for knowing I need help remembering.  Right now is a perfect time for looking back and remembering.  Amen

I Samuel 7:7-14; John 6:1-13

May 8 Make me like Samuel

Lord God, make me as Samuel. 

Samuel was only a child here, but he grew up in Your presence. You were with him and he felt it. Sensitize my heart, my eyes, my ears; to see You at work, to hear Your voice, to feel Your presence.

Father, You know everything about me, even my thoughts.  Help me grow in awareness that You are with me wherever I go.   Let me recognize where You are, and see Your purpose in having me where I am.

And let that be both a powerful deterrent and an awesome reassurance.

Samuel heard Your voice, and although he did not understand it all at first, he answered and was obedient.  Father, when I hear Your voice, let my response also be “Speak Lord, for Your servant is listening.”

Reveal Yourself to me through Your Word: the Bible.  Don’t let me read Your scripture and walk away unchanged.  But let Your words sink deep into my spirit and mind.  Let them take root in my life and be the foundation for all I do and all I am.

Let me hear You speak to me through nature, Your creation.  And as I pray.  And through other believers.  And in visions. And through my circumstances.

Help me set my priorities so I spend time in Your Word every day.  Every day let me make time to listen for Your voice.  And then let my actions, attitudes and words show other people that I have spent time with You.

Let hearing Your voice change me. And like Samuel, let me grow in stature and in favor with You and with men.  Amen

I Samuel 2:26; 3:1-19

May 9 Remembering 101

Lord, thank You for the reminders in scripture today.  Reminders of things You’ve already shown me this year, but bear repeating so I can really get it!  I need to mark the victories in my life, and trust that You can do much with little.

When You defeated the Philistines with Your thunder, Samuel set up a stone there and named it Ebenezer.  From the Hebrew “even” – pronounced eh-ben – meaning  stone and “ezer” meaning help: it is a “stone of help.”

Stones would last a long time, so for generations, when anyone passed by the “Stone of Help” they would be reminded that God helped and delivered them at this place in the battle against the Philistines.

I too can commemorate significant moments in my life with things that remind me of Your deliverance and impact.  It could be a piece of art, or jewelry, a song, poem or picture, something placed on my desk or walls or in my home or yard that has meaning to me.

Then when someone comments on it, I can give the reason for its significance.  That would be a fitting testimony to Your greatness.  More than that, whenever I see it, it would be an encouragement to me of Your faithfulness and power in my life.

When You took the small offering of a young boy, two fish and five barley rolls, and fed five thousand with it, with much left over to spare; it reminds me that whatever gifts I bring to You, You can bless and multiply and use for purposes to glorify Your name. 

On those days when I feel like I have little to offer, I will remember that when I give it to You, the result is not dependent on the size of the gift.  Whatever I bring, You can do and accomplish much more that I can even imagine. 

And I will learn what my gifts are, and give them over to You to multiply and use to bless others.

Thank You for these reminders today, Lord.  In remembering times and events where You impacted my life in significant ways, I will make my own “Ebenezers.” They will be reminders for me and markers for others.

Thank You for knowing I need help remembering.  Right now is a perfect time for looking back and remembering.  Amen

I Samuel 7:7-14; John 6:1-13

May 8 Make me like Samuel

Lord God, make me as Samuel. 

Samuel was only a child here, but he grew up in Your presence. You were with him and he felt it. Sensitize my heart, my eyes, my ears; to see You at work, to hear Your voice, to feel Your presence. 

Father, You know everything about me, even my thoughts.  Help me grow in awareness that You are with me wherever I go.   Let me recognize where You are, and see Your purpose in having me where I am.  

And let that be both a powerful deterrent and an awesome reassurance.

Samuel heard Your voice, and although he did not understand it all at first, he answered and was obedient.  Father, when I hear Your voice, let my response also be “Speak Lord, for Your servant is listening.” 

Reveal Yourself to me through Your Word: the Bible.  Don’t let me read Your scripture and walk away unchanged.  But let Your words sink deep into my spirit and mind.  Let them take root in my life and be the foundation for all I do and all I am. 

Let me hear You speak to me through nature, Your creation.  And as I pray.  And through other believers.  And in visions. And through my circumstances.

Help me set my priorities so I spend time in Your Word every day.  Every day let me make time to listen for Your voice.  And then let my actions, attitudes and words show other people that I have spent time with You. 

Let hearing Your voice change me. And like Samuel, let me grow in stature and in favor with You and with men.  Amen

I Samuel 2:26; 3:1-19

May 14 Help me choose obedience

Dear Father, let me learn the lesson of Saul from this passage of scripture.  Let me remember that to obey is better than sacrifice.

Father, what You want is obedience: meaning I put what You tell me above all else.

I hold true to Your Word no matter what other people think or say.

I do not bow to peer pressure.  I do not change what You have sent me to do because I am afraid.

Saul weakened in the face of the opinion and pressure of the people, and did not obey completely.  He even reasoned a way to convince himself he had indeed obeyed.  But the prophet Samuel saw the truth of it and confronted him.

Saul’s disobedience cost him the leadership of Israel.  He would soon be replaced as king.

I need to remember that it is not how often I pray, or whether I make monetary donations to ministries, or give my time in mission work.  The question is whether I have done what You have told me, specifically me, to do.

Help me hear You clearly, Lord.

And empower me to be strong enough to follow through completely.

Father, give me whatever I need, so I can stand in the end, and say I was truly obedient.  Amen

I Samuel 15:1-35

May 9 Remembering 101

Lord, thank You for the reminders in scripture today.  Reminders of things You’ve already shown me this year, but bear repeating so I can really get it!  I need to mark the victories in my life, and trust that You can do much with little.

When You defeated the Philistines with Your thunder, Samuel set up a stone there and named it Ebenezer.  From the Hebrew “even” – pronounced eh-ben – meaning  stone and “ezer” meaning help: it is a “stone of help.”

Stones would last a long time, so for generations, when anyone passed by the “Stone of Help” they would be reminded that God helped and delivered them at this place in the battle against the Philistines.

I too can commemorate significant moments in my life with things that remind me of Your deliverance and impact.  It could be a piece of art, or jewelry, a song, poem or picture, something placed on my desk or walls or in my home or yard that has meaning to me.

Then when someone comments on it, I can give the reason for its significance.  That would be a fitting testimony to Your greatness.  More than that, whenever I see it, it would be an encouragement to me of Your faithfulness and power in my life.

When You took the small offering of a young boy, two fish and five barley rolls, and fed five thousand with it, with much left over to spare; it reminds me that whatever gifts I bring to You, You can bless and multiply and use for purposes to glorify Your name.

On those days when I feel like I have little to offer, I will remember that when I give it to You, the result is not dependent on the size of the gift.  Whatever I bring, You can do and accomplish much more that I can even imagine.

And I will learn what my gifts are, and give them over to You to multiply and use to bless others.

Thank You for these reminders today, Lord.  In remembering times and events where You impacted my life in significant ways, I will make my own “Ebenezers.” They will be reminders for me and markers for others.

Thank You for knowing I need help.  Right now is a perfect time for looking back and remembering.  Amen

I Samuel 7:7-14; John 6:1-13

May 8 Make me like Samuel

Lord God, make me as Samuel.

Samuel was only a child here, but he grew up in Your presence. You were with him and he felt it. Sensitize my heart, my eyes, my ears; to see You at work, to hear Your voice, to feel Your presence.

Father, You know everything about me, even my thoughts.  Help me grow in awareness that You are with me wherever I go.   Let me recognize where You are, and see Your purpose in having me where I am.

And let that be both a powerful deterrent and an awesome reassurance.

Samuel heard Your voice, and although he did not understand it all at first, he answered and was obedient.  Father, when I hear Your voice, let my response also be “Speak Lord, for Your servant is listening.”

Reveal Yourself to me through Your Word: the Bible.  Don’t let me read Your scripture and walk away unchanged.  But let Your words sink deep into my spirit and mind.  Let them take root in my life and be the foundation for all I do and all I am.

Let me hear You speak to me through nature, Your creation.  And as I pray.  And through other believers.  And in visions.  And through my circumstances.

Help me set my priorities to spend time in Your Word every day.  Every day let me make time to listen for Your voice.  And then let my actions, attitudes and words show other people that I have spent time with You.

Let hearing Your voice change me.  As Your words sink deep into my spirit and mind, let them take root in my life and be the foundation for all I do and am.

Like Samuel, let me grow in stature and in favor with You and with men.  Amen

I Samuel 2:26; 3:1-19

 

May 14 Help me choose obedience

photo by Good Hand Security products

 

Father, let me learn the lesson of Saul from this passage of scripture.  Let me remember that to obey is better than sacrifice.

Father, what You want is obedience: meaning I put what You tell me above all else.  I hold true to Your Word no matter what other people think or say.  I do not bow to peer pressure.  I do not change what You have sent me to do because I am afraid.

Saul weakened in the face of the opinion and pressure of the people, and did not obey completely.  He even reasoned a way to convince himself he had indeed obeyed.  But the prophet Samuel saw the truth of it and confronted him.  Saul’s disobedience cost him the leadership of Israel.  He would soon be replaced as king.

I need to remember that it is not how often I pray, or whether I make monetary donations to ministries, or give my time in mission work.  The question is whether I have done what You have told me.

Help me hear You clearly, Lord.  And empower me to be strong enough to follow through completely.  Give me whatever I need, so I can stand in the end, and say I was truly obedient.  Amen

I Samuel 15:1-35 

May 9 How to remember

Lord, thank You for the reminders in scripture today.  Reminders of things You’ve already shown me this year, but bear repeating so I can really get it!  I need to mark the victories in my life, and trust that You can do much with little.

When You defeated the Philistines with Your thunder, Samuel set up a stone there and named it Ebenezer.  From the Hebrew “even” – pronounced eh-ben – meaning  stone and “ezer” meaning help: it is a “stone of help.”

Stones would last a long time, so for generations, when anyone passed by the “Stone of Help” they would be reminded that God helped and delivered them at this place in the battle against the Philistines.

I too can commemorate significant moments in my life with things that remind me of Your deliverance and impact.  It could be a piece of art, or jewelry, a song, poem or picture, something placed on my desk or walls or in my home or yard that has meaning to me.

Then when someone comments on it, I can give the reason for its significance.  That would be a fitting testimony to Your greatness.  More than that, whenever I see it, it would be an encouragement to me of Your faithfulness and power in my life.

When You took the small offering of a young boy, two fish and five barley rolls, and fed five thousand with it, with much left over to spare; it reminds me that whatever gifts I bring to You, You can bless and multiply and use for purposes to glorify Your name.

On those days when I feel like I have little to offer, I will remember that when I give it to You, the result is not dependent on the size of the gift.  Whatever I bring, You can do and accomplish much more that I can even imagine.

 

Thank You for these reminders today, Lord.  In remembering times and events where You impacted my life in significant ways, I will make my own “Ebenezers.” They will be reminders for me and markers for others.

And I will learn what my gifts are, and give them over to You to multiply and use to bless others.

Thank You for knowing I need help remembering.  Thank You for telling me over and over again about the things that are important, and of Your love for me.  Amen

I Samuel 7:7-14; John 6:1-13

May 8 Make me like Samuel

Lord God, make me as Samuel.

Samuel was only a child here, but he grew up in Your presence. You were with him and he felt it. Sensitize my heart, my eyes, my ears; to see You at work, to hear Your voice, to feel Your presence.

Father, You know everything about me, even my thoughts.  Help me grow in awareness that You are with me wherever I go.   Let me recognize where You are, and purpose in having me where I am.

And let that be both a powerful deterrent and an awesome reassurance.

Samuel heard Your voice, and although he did not understand it all at first, he answered and was obedient.  Father, when I hear Your voice, let my response also be “Speak Lord, for Your servant is listening.”

Reveal Yourself to me through Your Word: the Bible.  Don’t let me read Your scripture and walk away unchanged.  But let Your words sink deep into my spirit and mind.  Let them take root in my life and be the foundation for all I do and all I am.

Let me behave in a way that acknowledges You are with me.  Let me treat people as You would.  Help me set my priorities so I spend time in Your Word every day.   Let my actions, attitudes and words show other people that I have spent time with You.

Like Samuel, let me grow in stature and in favor with You and with men.  Amen

I Samuel 2:26; 3:1-19

May 7 It’s all about You

Father, let me be like Hannah.

Let me be earnest and persistent in prayer as Hannah was, pouring out my feelings and heartaches to You.

When I make a promise to You, help me be true to my word as Hannah was, no matter how hard it is.  Hannah gave back to You the very thing she prayed for: a precious son.

Help me hold Your blessings loosely enough that I do not love them more than I love You.

I will rejoice as Hannah did over all You do for me.  Help me acknowledge that all my blessings come from You.  It is You who give life and take it away, You who send poverty and wealth.

It is not by strength that I or anyone else prevails, but You who guard my feet and give me strength and victory over my enemies.

I delight in Your deliverance and in Your justice.  You are the Lord God Almighty who knows and weighs all deeds.  You laid the foundations of the world and set it in place.  There is no one holy like You.

Praise be to the Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen

I Samuel 1:1-2:11

 

May 14 Choose Obedience

photo by Good Hand Security products

 

Dear Father, let me learn the lesson of Saul from this passage of scripture. Let me remember that to obey is better than sacrifice.

Father, what You want is obedience: meaning I put what You tell me above all else.

 

I hold true to Your Word no matter what other people think or say. I do not bow to peer pressure. I do not change what You have sent me to do because I am afraid.

Saul weakened in the face of the opinion and pressure of the people, and did not obey completely. He even reasoned a way to convince himself he had indeed obeyed. But the prophet Samuel saw the truth of it and confronted him. Saul’s disobedience cost him the leadership of Israel. He would soon be replaced as king.

I need to remember that it is not how often I pray, or whether I make monetary donations to ministries, or give my time in mission work. The question is whether I have done what You have told me.

Help me hear You clearly, Lord. And empower me to be strong enough to follow through completely. Give me whatever I need, so I can stand in the end, and say I was truly obedient. Amen

I Samuel 15:1-35

May 9 How to remember

Lord, thank You for the reminders in scripture today. Reminders of things You’ve already shown me this year, but bear repeating so I can really get it! I need to mark the victories in my life, and trust that You can do much with little.

When You defeated the Philistines with Your thunder, Samuel set up a stone there and named it Ebenezer. From the Hebrew ‘even’ – pronounced eh-ben – meaning stone and ‘ezer’ meaning help: it is a ‘stone of help’.   Stones would last a long time, so for generations, when anyone passed by the ‘Stone of Help’ they would be reminded that God helped and delivered them at this place in the battle against the Philistines.

I too can commemorate significant moments in my life with things that remind me of Your deliverance and impact. It could be a piece of art, or jewelry, a song, poem or picture, something placed on my desk or walls or in my home or yard that has meaning to me, so that when someone comments on it, I can give the reason for its significance. That would be a fitting testimony to Your greatness. More than that, whenever I see it, it would be an encouragement to me of Your faithfulness and power in my life.

When You took the small offering of a young boy, two fish and five barley rolls, and fed five thousand with it, with much left over to spare; it reminds me that whatever gifts I bring to You, You can bless and multiply and use for purposes to glorify Your name. On those days when I feel like I have little to offer, I will remember that when I give it to You, the result is not dependent on the size of the gift. Whatever I bring, You can do and accomplish much more that I can even imagine.

Thank You for these reminders today, Lord. I will think back to remember times and events where You impacted my life in significant ways. And I will make my own ‘Ebenezers’ to be reminders for me and to be markers to others. And I will learn what my gifts are, and give them over to You to multiply and use to bless others. Thank You for knowing I need help remembering. Thank You for telling me over and over again about the things that are important, and of Your love for me. Amen

I Samuel 7:1-17; John 6:1-13

May 8 Make me like Samuel

Lord God, make me as Samuel.

Samuel heard Your voice, and although he did not understand it all at first, he answered and was obedient. Father, when I hear Your voice, let my response also be “Speak Lord, for Your servant is listening.”

Samuel was only a child here, but he grew up in Your presence. You were with him. Sensitize my heart, my eyes, my ears; to see You at work, to hear Your voice, to feel Your presence. Let me recognize where You are, and purpose to be there.

Let me behave in a way that acknowledges that You are with me. Let me treat people as You would. Father, You know everything about me, even my thoughts. Help me grow in awareness that You are with me wherever I go. And let that be both a powerful deterrent and an awesome reassurance.

Father, reveal Yourself to me through Your presence as You did with Samuel. I have Your Word in the Bible! Help me set my priorities so I spend time in Your Word every day.  Let my actions, attitudes and words show other people that I have spent time with You. Don’t let me read Your scripture and walk away unchanged. But let Your words sink deep into my spirit and mind. Let them take root in my life and be the foundation for all I do and all I am.

Like Samuel, let me grow in stature and in favor with You and with men. Amen

I Samuel 2:22-3:19

 

May 8 Make me like Samuel

Lord God, make me as Samuel.

Samuel heard Your voice, and although he did not understand it all at first, he answered and was obedient. Father, when I hear Your voice, let my response also be “Speak Lord, for Your servant is listening.”

Samuel was only a child here, but he grew up in Your presence. You were with him. Sensitize my heart, my eyes, my ears; to see You at work, to hear Your voice, to feel Your presence. Let me recognize where You are, and purpose to be there.

Let me behave in a way that acknowledges that You are with me. Let me treat people as You would. Father, You know everything about me, even my thoughts. Help me grow in awareness that You are with me wherever I go. And let that be both a powerful deterrent and an awesome reassurance.

Father, reveal Yourself to me through Your presence as You did with Samuel. I have Your Word in the Bible! Help me set my priorities so I spend time in Your Word every day.   Let my actions, attitudes and words show other people that I have spent time with You. Don’t let me read Your scripture and walk away unchanged. But let Your words sink deep into my spirit and mind. Let them take root in my life and be the foundation for all I do and all I am.

Like Samuel, let me grow in stature and in favor with You and with men. Amen

I Samuel 2:22-3:19