Sabbath Restoration and Renewal

My Heavenly Father, my great and loving Lord Jesus, I come before you now having rested and thought and prayed today with you.  I do needed to be with and near to you.  Thank you my living God.

It is your Sabbath day, and I have spent time with you in silence and contemplative thought.  Please create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew your everlasting spirit within my soul. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. I ask that you please restore me. I ask you for the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing heart and spirit to accept and cherish your wonderful gifts. 

Isaiah 40:31

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Jesus is our hope. When we hope and have faith in Him, He renews our strength, our spirit and our hearts joy. Jesus,  I thank you for this quiet, peaceful and very calm day  I needed time with you today, and I am so grateful to be able to call out to you every moment knowing that you are right there and you hear me every moment of my life. 

…..and I now pray

My Father….

Who art in heaven  

hallowed be thy name,

thy kingdom come

Thy will be done, 

on earth, as it is in heaven. 

Give us this day,  our daily bread

And forgive us our trespasses 

As we forgive those who trespass against us, 

and lead us not into temptation

but deliver us from evil, 

for thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, 

forever and ever, 

• Amen •

Creating a “Wake”

September 23

Matthew 5:1

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

▶︎ LISTEN TO THE DEVOTIONAL

On a flight along the Gulf Coast, I looked out the window and saw something amazing. Even if I couldn’t see the boats on the gulf, I could tell their size by the wake I saw behind them. Small boat, small wake. Big tanker, wide and long wake. Did you know that in 2019, according to the Pew Research Center, more than 2.5 billion people in the world professed to be Christians. It is staggering to think about the wake of Christianity. Since the birth of Christ, the influence, the power, the impact He has made upon the lives of countless men and women, boys and girls. Christianity is defined by what God did in history – Who Jesus is, and what Jesus did. And the whole Bible is the story of God at work in the lives of men and women, equipping them so they will leave a “wake” that testifies to their commitment to Him. Prayer Dear Father God…may we all create a “”wake” and make a difference. Certainly with you in our lives we have a chance. With you alone in our hearts and our spirits we can make a difference. I pray that the little things I may do as a witness to others would be blessed by your heavenly lord light in me.  My dearest Lord, I ask that you help me to let my light so truly shine.  Amen.

Scripture ……John 14:26

The Holy Spirit Is a “Stud”

Sept 13

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.”

▶︎ LISTEN TO THE DEVOTIONAL

We can study and understand the ethics of Socrates without ever knowing Socrates. But we cannot understand the Bible and spiritual truth without knowing Jesus Christ and having the Holy Spirit teach us. The Holy Spirit is like the studs in a building that provide vertical and horizontal support. We can use STUD as an acrostic to see some of the ways He operates in our lives. The Holy Spirit SEARCHES our spirits in truth. He TEACHES us all things, even the thoughts of God. Also, the Holy Spirit gives us UNDERSTANDING of the truth of God’s Word, leading to a DISCERNMENT of the will and purpose of God in our lives and circumstances. So let me encourage you to do an inspection of your life in Christ … and pay special attention to the stud. My Prayer  Oh Holy Spirit….I welcome you into my day and my life this morning.  I know that your spirit brings me into your complete truth. I know that you are my helper in need. I know that You are the one who fills me with the true “Spirit of God.” Holy Spirit, my morning prayer is to come into communion with You today, for I know that you work to intercede for me to my Father in heaven, and you always bring comfort to me with Your “peace” that comes into me, the peace that is way beyond my own simple understanding. Holy Spirit, please come…… • AMEN •

Sabbath Sunday, Reflection and Prayer

Exodus 20:9

“You have six days in which to do your work, but the seventh day is a day of rest dedicated to me.” 

••••••••

Today I need to rest my body, recharge my emotions and refocus my spirit. God intended for me to work. But if we are going to do our best, He also wants us to rest

Sunday is a day to be quiet and rest. To enjoy the comfort of your nest, to reconnect with your precious relationships. Take a reflective walk, sing hymns to yourself and in doing so….you are honoring your God. Read scripture. Think about how you can really reconnect today with your loving creator.

Pray and thank God for your many blessings. Showing gratitude brings a humbleness of spirit. It helps you to open up your heart and your spirit to a conversation with Him that is pure, and ready for His presence right then with you alone.

••••••••

Prayer

Dear  Lord, help me to make every Sabbath about you. Quiet my heart, give rest to my soul, and refocus my spirit. I know that true renewal comes only from you. Holy Spirit please help me to be intentional with my time and worship, and encourage me to find rest in you alone. In Jesus’ name I humbly pray. 

• Amen • 

HOPE …..my path….

Psalm 130:5-6

 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning……

……more than watchmen for the morning.

Prayer

Lord it is your Sabbath Day. I come. Oh Lord  I come. I open my heart to you. I feel you with me in my soul. Time alone with you today. Resting in your peace and comfort. Renewing my spirit in you. I give you my day; your day.
I wait for you more than the watchmen in the morning..My soul longs for you and in You alone I Hope. I trust you and offer my obedience to your sovereign ways. In my heart I wish to be humble and to obey your promises. My Precious Lord take my hand and lead me all the way. You are my refuge and my strength. In You I have no fear or want. You are near…..and that is all I need. I offer you thanks now for  my long life, my awesome blessings, my faith and my having been chosen to be near to you, and I give all honor to you now. Amen Father I love thee. You know my path. Thank you for  giving me “my chosen path.”

• AMEN • 

A Child of God

Aug 9

Deuteronomy 32:4

“His work is perfect; for all His ways are just; a God of faithfulness and without injustice; righteous and upright is He.” –

▶︎ LISTEN TO THE DEVOTIONAL

A little girl climbed into her daddy’s lap and asked him to build her a dollhouse. Much to her delight, he promised to do so. Distracted by his business, the father forgot about his promise. One evening he entered his daughter’s room and saw all her dolls and doll furniture packed in boxes. When he questioned her about it, she simply said she was packed for the upcoming move into her new dollhouse. Although he had not even begun to build it, she knew he would do it because he had promised. His word was good enough for her and her confidence in her father never wavered. Our confidence in God should be like that little girl’s. Our God is faithful and just, and He keeps His promises. So make time today to thank God for His perfect work, His just ways, and His faithfulness. Prayer My Lord and Savior…..my hope is in you. Your promises exceed my every hope. I thank you for everything you have given me and all that you provide. As your child I open my heart to accept your gifts and your fruitful blessings upon me. As my living and faithful Father you keep your promises and I am so grateful. Thank you for your constant faithfulness to me.  Amen

I Have An Appointment…..

Aug 5

Job: 23:10

“Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will emerge as pure gold.”

▶︎ LISTEN TO THE DEVOTIONAL

These words spoken by Job during his time of extreme suffering offer us insight into our own times of hardship. Like Job’s, our persecutions and trials are by divine appointment. But we do not go through them alone – God keeps us by His grace and love as He trains and disciplines us. He is forever wanting to stretch us and build us up, and uses our trials to test us by fire. What if we viewed every hardship as God’s perfect plan for us? This would give our trials a whole new meaning, wouldn’t it? Trials move us out of complacency and mediocrity to a stronger, purer faith. So ask God to give you the wisdom to see your trial as He sees it. If you will do that and trust Him in the process, you will emerge as pure gold! Prayer Jesus  I am here. I have places to go, people to see and things to accomplish. Stop!  Because I know that no appointment or commitment or daily task is as vital to my being and my welfare as my appointment with You! YOU alone bring me to my knees, you alone know my heart and my thoughts.  YOU alone give me exactly what I need. You alone are with me whenever I reach for you or call out to you Jesus….you alone are my divine appointment. This Friday morning I meet you on your terms. I listen, I pray, I adore thee. I want to hear your great plans for me. Plans to prosper me and not bring me to distress  I confess my hurried pace, my lack of patience to allow you to work in me, and to be very still….to listen for your quiet and steady voice. Forgive my haste. I give you now my open heart.  Calm me, hold me and forgive my sins. I am sorry in my heart for having offended thee. I wish to be yours to mold and to shape. I am clay. Take me and breath your life into me right now. In your holy and precious name…..Jesus…. Hear my prayer.  AMEN

Vertical or Horizontal

Aug 2

Genesis  50:20

“And as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good…”

▶︎ LISTEN TO THE DEVOTIONAL

The best teacher in the world is hunger. The best teacher in the world is cancer. The best teacher in the world is heartache, or brokenness. All too often we tend to coast through life until the bottom falls out. Then we realize that we’ve been living in the power of our own strength and resources. We realize that we’ve forgotten the vertical, which is the reality of God. Vertical people are those for whom God is real. They understand that in the temptations of life, the injustices of life, and even in the exaltations of life, God is at work. Vertical people look up and above, not down and around, because they are focused on the wonderful panorama God provides for those who keep their eyes on Him. Are you a horizontal person, or a vertical person? If you’re ready for a new adventure in your walk with God, decide today to become a vertical person who seeks God and His perspective in every situation. Prayer Oh Lord hear my prayer. I fall short. My stature is not of tallness  I desire to be tall for you  keep me ever tall, straight,  and looking up.  I am learning from my my love who is a tall vertical man. He honors you in his daily walk. You have sent him to help teach me. Today he needs your help to stand as tall as you want him to be. He accepts your tall challenges and I pray that his day will turn….to all the tall challenges you have before him, because I learn how to be taller and look to only you when he shows me how to-do it better….. for You! Amen

“Make A Day” ….: For Someone You Love

Social Connections Jun 8

Mark 12:31

“And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

▶︎ LISTEN TO THE DEVOTIONAL

Although we live in a technological age aimed at keeping us connected, there seems to be a real “disconnect” when it comes to meaningful relationships. Jesus provides us with the answer to this dilemma in our verse. The word for neighbor means “near.” In other words, Jesus is saying we are to love those we encounter every day… not on devices, but in person. This would include family members, coworkers, classmates, fellow church members, and the countless people we cross paths with daily. We are to love them unconditionally – no strings attached. We are to regard them as more important than ourselves and put their needs ahead of our own. So let me suggest that you make a list of ways you can encourage and bless others and pray for the opportunities to do so. Believe me, you will make someone’s day!          I LOVE YOU…..

The Sabbath Day

Jun 2

Empty or Full? MATTHEW 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  ▶︎ LISTEN TO THE DEVOTIONAL Do you recall these words from an old hymn: “Nothing in my hand I bring; simply to Thy Cross I cling.” That is true. We have nothing to bring to God. You know, there are a lot of books about being filled. But one day I think I’ll write a book on how to be emptied. When Christ wants to come and fill us, we can be so full of self and stuff that there is no room left. We have to first of all become empty so that we can be filled, and the emptying begins with brokenness. We acknowledge that we are destitute in our own ability, in what we’ve done, or what we have, or where we’ve been. We are totally broken. Then we are ready for God to come and fill us up with Himself. It is a supernatural event – and it is the first step toward having a brand-new life. My Prayer My Lord and my Savior God. I come to You. I come empty, bare and on my own. I bring you my simple self. I am broken. I have sinned. I need your sweet cleansing. I give you my heart, my spirit and my life, that you will accept me as your child and wash me of my wrongful ways. I give you everything I am and everything I ever hope to be. Please fill me now with your presence that I might be made whole this Sabbath morning. I am sorry for offending you and for my sins. I wish to sin no more. Forgive me. Help me to keep a pure heart in You my Lord and Savior Jesus! I now give you my day….. • AMEN•