Change

Help me to resist not your changes O Lord, even though the purpose is not always clear. I know that if you are taking the time to bring me through this change I need not worry about the purpose you have in mind but mine is to find the lesson in it and how it applies to my life. Help me to see myself through your eyes knowing that even though I am flawed you love me, even though my frame is weak you see great potential, and even though my best laid plans crumble in the fire you have called me by name. In spite of the pain that is caused by the removing of this hard outer crust I call humanity I ask for your help to stand and not run for I know not what will be left when you are finished but I know that it will be what you intended before I took control.

God's Goodness in the Morning

God thank you for reminding me of your goodness each morning, even when the night before my mind was filled with concerns. Lord only you know my heart and of the many things I seem to long for you are the only one I could not live without! So in the earliest part of my day remind me to exalt you in praises and worship and for a little while let my heart lead me into your presence before my day is filled with concerns of life once again. With each sound of praise that comes across my lips my heart is lightened and my spirit lifted and in those moments I am able to catch glimpses of your glory! Don't let me forget that you are with me throughout the day - as I work help me do it with one mind and an undistracted heart and teach me that you are with me when I come home and find people, who like me, get caught up in things of the day. Help me to lead my family by example, knowing what is right isn't nearly as important as doing what is right. For you give to each the opportunity to choose right or evil, what we do with it is up to us. Additionally, you give each of us great responsibility and you have placed within each one's reach the ability to do what has been asked of us but only with your help. If we live life without being stretched then somewhere along the way we've lost the sense of your leading and are no longer able to go where you would have us go unless you wake us. Knowing that I thank you for stretching me, making me aware, and not comparing me to others for the only standard that I have to meet is the one you set before me. Though others mean well, like me, they have enough trouble keeping their own feet on the path you place before them. Help them to be aware of their own spiritual condition before being so concerned about others. Those who think they know you challenge them and grow them so that instead of being a stumbling block they may become an instrument of your holiness.

Trusting God

(1Peter 1:8-9) "You love Him even though you have never seen Him. Though you do not see Him now, you trust Him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. (9) The reward for trusting Him will be the salvation of your souls."

Somehow we get it wrong saying, "God you first prove your self to me by doing ______ then I will trust you." Sometimes it turns out but what if it doesn't who then suffers loss? Is it not better to trust God knowing that He is good and true? Jesus told doubting Thomas the he believed because he seen Jesus' wounds but blessed are those who believe and have not seen (John 20:29)

Lord, help me to trust you more even when things look dim and without hope. I know because of your Word you are good and you are working things together to make me more like Jesus. Many times this molding comes in the way of storms and heart ache but even so I will trust you because you are my source of hope an peace. Thank you for not leaving me when I make bad decisions but instead you lift me up and help me stand once again - making me trust you more. In this way you build up in me your faith so that I might be shown faithful. In your Son's name Jesus I pray, amen.