November 30, 2007
“When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace.
Through every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil.”
Dear Lord, even in – and perhaps especially in – times of trial, I know You are there for me. I have acknowledged that and given thanks for it many times, but until I am in a situation like that, I’m not sure that I truly accept, understand, and appreciate what a gift and blessing it is. It is very easy for me to be thankful and grateful when things go my way, and when You answer my prayers in ways that benefit me on the spot. When I hear Your voice and see Your hands at work at unexpected times, that is even more of a blessing – and when I feel the comfort of Your love and peace in times of trial, I am truly aware of Your presence and love for me. Dear Lord, thank You for never letting me go, and for staying with me in times of darkness. May I always see You in everything I do. Amen.
November 29, 2007
“All to Jesus, I surrender; make me, Savior, wholly Thine;
Let me feel the Holy Spirit, truly know that Thou art mine.”
Dear Lord, as I thought this morning about all that I need to do in the coming days and weeks, I wondered how I would ever find the time to do everything. Some of it is work-related, some of it is personal … and I kept thinking, ‘How will I get it all done? When can I fit it into my schedule? And what is that music in the background?’ Then I heard it: ‘All to Jesus, I surrender.’ Once again, You have reminded me that if I just calm down, relax, pray, and give my concerns to You, they will taken care of. What a relief and comfort! Heavenly Father, thank You for Your reminders throughout my day that You are always there with me and for me. Thank You for giving me the peace and reassurance that nothing is impossible through You, and that You will take care of my fears and worries. Amen.
November 28, 2007
“I’m a-gonna lay down this world, gonna shoulder up a my cross,
Gonna take it home to my Jesus, ain’-a-that good news!”
Dear Lord, thank You for my trials and tribulations! This anthem reminds me that I need to always be grateful for the troubles I go through – for several reasons. I know that You are refining me for good works in my life, here and in heaven; the bad times help remind me how good my life truly is; my life is not and never will be perfect; and I need to experience at least some of what You went through in Your final days. Lord, thank You for humbling me and giving me heartache, loss, and despair. Thank You for my down times, and for my mistakes. let me learn from them, praise You for them, and move on with the plan You have set out for me. Amen.
November 27, 2007
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.”
Dear Lord, there are days that it seems easier to be angry, upset, and irritated than to be happy, calm, and at peace. Holding on to old frustrations, hurts, and disappointments will not solve anything, and should serve to remind me that I need to pray about them, give them to You, and free them from my thoughts. By keeping You first in my heart, and in my mind, I will know peace and joy, comfort and strength, hope and love. Heavenly Father, I pray that I will look for Your face and listen for Your voice today and every day, and find the happiness and peace of a live filled with Your love. Amen.
November 26, 2007
“When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation, and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration, and then proclaim, ‘My God, how great Thou art!’”
Dear Lord, why wait? As a Christian, I should be so full of joy every day that I should sing out in praise and thanksgiving. I should stop and look in awe and wonder at the world around me, and be grateful for the life You have given me. There is no reason to wait until You come to take me home – it should be a year-round feeling. In this special and holy season, I pray that I will see, taste, and feel Your love every moment of every day, and that I will realize and be thankful for Your gifts and blessings. Amen.
November 21, 2007
“I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord; no tender voice like Thine can peace afford.
I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain; come quickly and abide, or life is in vain.”
Dear Lord, the thought of not following You has crossed my mind before, and I am certain that it will again. When those moments come up, I ask my self if following You is the right decision, what am I gaining from a life in You, and what would I lose by not following You. The answer to the last question is everything. Without You, I know that I would have – and be – nothing. I could sleep in on Sundays, and not have to worry about getting to church on time; I could find other ways to spend my offering money and not be troubled with church events; but I would lose my life and my soul. I do need You, Lord, and I pray that no matter the circumstance, I will always find the strength to look to You for guidance. Amen.
November 20, 2007
“Young men and maidens, old men and children praise the name of the Lord,
For his name only is excellent.”
Dear Lord, sometimes one little word can make so much of a difference. In this case, the word is only – as in, Your name ONLY is excellent. No other names in creation carry the same weight, or are as important, as Yours. Realizing that and understanding that makes following You simple, safe, and comfortable. It is easy for all of us to feel full of ourselves now and then, and personally, there are times that I think I am way more important that I truly am. This anthem reminds me that no one is as important as You, for no one is as excellent as You. Indeed, no one but You is excellent. Who gave me the world I live in? The knowledge, the gifts, the blessings, the people … it is all from You, Lord. I pray to never look past all that You have given me, and to always praise Your most excellent name. Amen.
November 19, 2007
“Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands, robed in the blooming garb of spring;
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer, Who makes the woeful heart to sing.”
Dear Lord, I often fail to recognize and realize the power of Your creation, when all I have to do is look at the world around me. As the hymn says, the meadows and woodlands – and all that inhabit those spaces – came from Your hand, Your touch, Your divine spark. Knowing all that, I am reminded that You created the people in the world, and breathed life into them. Some I know, most I never will know, but all are my brothers and sisters through You. Heavenly Father, thank You for the world around me, and for Your glorious creations of man and animal, tree and flower, and the entire universe. I am awed by Your vision, and thankful for Your gifts. Amen.
November 16, 2007
“Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus, just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking life and rest, and joy and peace.”
Dear Lord, what a simple but true message: All I need I can find in You. By trusting in Your love and plan for me, I have life, rest, joy and peace. Amen! Hallelujah! That’s the good news, and the happy thought. The challenge, as I have learned so often, is to truly and fully give my life to You and fully trust You with my life. Is it because I don’t see You? But You are there – in the life I see around me. Is it because I can’t hear You? But I do – in the voices of friends and the singing of the birds. Is it … there is no reason. You are here, God – I can see You, I can hear You – you are all around me. Take my life, Lord, and use ot for Your benefit. I pray that I will find life, rest, joy, and peace in You. Amen.
November 15, 2007
To the old rugged cross I will ever be true; its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away, where His glory forever I’ll share.”
Dear Lord, the word that came to mind this morning when I thought about these words is sacrifice. I willingly go without and do without at times, and other times pass up opportunities and possibilities, and I think I am making a tremendous sacrifice. Nothing, though, compares to what You did for me, and no sacrifice I can ever make will come close to Yours. I pray that I will use the example of Your sacrifice to pray about ways I can give of myself to others, even and especially if it means giving up something. Lord, thank You for Your gift of sacrifice, and for the blessings I received for that sacrifice. May I ever be mindful of how to serve others by following Your example. Amen.
