July 7, 2017 - Difficult

Which trail to take? - love, love, love my girls

Jesus had a habit of surrounding himself with unlikely people. Whenever he shared a meal with others, He seemed to have a knack of drawing the most unlikely people together: difficult people, awkward people, people with opposing and sometimes violent views, and people full of animosity toward those around Him* For many, this sounds like a typical holiday family gathering. Yet, when we listen to what Jesus has to say, people come together and a beautiful community forms. Whenever we look at others with the heart of Jesus, our love for one another will win out over opinions and ideals. We were all created in His image. We all have worth and find favor in His sight when we rest in His love.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. – 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

*paraphrased from laudete.com, Friday, July 7, pray-as-you-go.org daily meditation podcast

July 6, 2017 – Comfort

We personally bring on much of our own pain and aggravations.  Of course, there are some things out of our control, but the majority of our discomfort is our own doing. We don't feel like the hassle of one more errand in our day so we pass on picking up the milk on the way home.  We wake every morning to stiffness and aches because we can't find the time to shop for a new mattress and have other things we want to spend our money on anyway.  In putting off these tasks, we know full well what the next morning will bring, yet we justify this through our busyness. Too many times we find our spiritual lives in this same dysfunction. We know we should pray. We know we should spend time in His presence, but we fill ourselves instead with other thoughts in our day and wonder why things seem to be going so wrong. Let us come before God. Give him your time, worries and cares, and let God remove your pain and show you the beauty of the life he has for you.

Now Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from harm that it may not pain me!” And God granted him what he requested. - 1 Chronicles 4:10

July 5, 2017 - Prepare

One of my delights is to travel. I should have the flight attendants' speech memorized by now. I do remember one thing: in the case of emergency, you should always take care of yourself first. You are no good to another if you are depleted of your own life support. How true this is in all of life's situations. We cannot possibly help guide another if we, ourselves, do not hold God's grace. No advice is worthwhile, no motive pure enough unless we are filled with the conviction, strength, endurance, and mercy of God's Holy Spirit. Life is filled with many unexpected turns. We must prepared ourselves and through this grace, enable ourselves to be a true witness of God's mercy and aid.
A true witness delivers souls, and a false witness speaks deceit. - Proverbs 14:25

July 4, 2017 – Freedom

On this day that celebrates Freedom, my prayer for you is that you will be filled with moments of joy. Let your worries find the hand of God and your pain and doubt melt away in His presence.  Through His Grace, may your soul find the freedom to be thankful for all of His many righteous and glorious blessings.

In all his activities he gave thanks to the Holy One Most High; in words of glory he put all his heart into his songs out of love for his Creator. - Ecclesiasticus 47:8

July 3, 2017 – Best

God has gifted each of us with individuality. We have the freedom to be the best "me" we can be. This does not mean that we can all be leaders, winners, or stars. What it does mean is that in everything we do achieve, we do so with the Grace of God. We can each run with our own ability, reach with our own hands, sing with our own voice. Seek God in every way and find the freedom to be yourself. Rejoice in His Creation and glorify His amazing Name.

What is too sublime for you, seek not, into things beyond your strength search not. What is committed to you, attend to; for what is hidden is not your concern. - Sirach, 4:20-21

July 2, 2017 – Trust

Past experience has revealed many moments of a day that did not unfold as I originally perceived and I know that there will be many more unexpected turns in my future.  Through each daily walk with God, He grows me and molds me for His Instrument. It is up to me to retain the watchful mind that allows me to see Him in every moment and to be prepared for every turn He gives me. Just as King David unknowingly prepare for his day with Goliath by battling bears and wolfs among his flocks, I also prepare daily by striving to face each conflict with my best effort. 

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:19

July 1, 2017 – Wishes

My mom always warned me to be careful what I wished for. Abraham laughed at God’s promise to give Sarah a son, and asked Our Creator to bless his firstborn conceived with his slave, Hagar. God granted this request, yet still held to His promise to Sarah. Today, the unrest between Ishmael’s and Isaac’s descendants is astronomical. When we seek the Lord’s guidance, let go of your desires, rest in His Wisdom, and find peace knowing He is in control.

Blessed are all who fear the LORD, and who walk in his ways. What your hands provide you will enjoy; you will be blessed and prosper. – Psalm 128:1,2