Plans

"Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow...You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." James 4:13-15

I make plans daily. Sometimes they look a bit like an escape plan...a way to leave and live a different kind of life. I could be like my neighbor who has a perfect lawn. Or like the friend who seems to have the best of luck. I plot out a new existence - one that does not involve frailty, concern, or sleepless nights. In fact, it resembles a television show I saw last week.

Lord, bring me back to Your perfect, personal will. Remind me of the many times You guided me when I was lost. Show me that the value of my life, as it is now, is worth far more than the imagined version of perfection.

Finish Line

"I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."

Acts 20:24

The streamers of the finish line are up ahead. The work of this race is not all the way behind me, but it is well under way. I need to realize how far I have come. Give the voice to tell others of Your faithfulness and strength. This journey is difficult, but I am not going it alone. You are by my side.

May all those who are watching my life unfold take note of who is in charge. I hope that I bring You glory in how I handle each step of the path ahead of me. If my pain is endured only to demonstrate my strength, it will be useless. If this race is run to reveal the power of Your grace, then it is a race worth running.

Only Thing

"The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him, my father's God, and I will exalt Him." Exodus 15:2

I praise You today because You are my Lord, my strength, my song, my salvation. In the refuge of Your heart I find understanding and wisdom. I see Your face as I pray, and I stare at it intently. It is the face of one who loves me unconditionally.

Nothing makes much sense out in the world, especially right now. Yet I can fall to my knees and praise You because You are good and hold. This truth is the one thing that makes sense to me. It is the one thing that carries me.

Through Your Grace

"All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth."

Colossians 1:6

What is the meaning behind this sorrow, Lord? I'm not asking "Why me?" but I do wish I could see beyond my immediate plain to the plan You are shaping. What good will come of this burden? I must have faith in the faith that brought me here. Truly, when I first discovered Your love, I didn't need to see the whole picture. Standing in Your presence and receiving your grace was enough.

Let it be enough for me now. The message of Your love and mercy spreads broad and deep - not because I believe, but because You are in charge. Through Your grace I will find peace in the not knowing.

You Alone

"...You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth."

2 Kings 19:15

You alone formed my mind and body. You alone formed the land on which I walk and sculpted the curve of the earth. You alone know my past, present, and future. Lord and Creator, You are so worthy of praise. May my words and deeds express my love and praise to You each day.

I rule over a few scattered decisions. You are Ruler over the course of all life. I pray that I am worthy to be called Yours and that my motives are always to glorify You alone - my God, my Creator, my Lord.

Through Your Grace

"All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth." Colossians 1:6

What is the meaning behind this sorrow, Lord? I'm not asking "Why me?" but I do wish I could see beyond my immediate pain to the plan You are shaping. What good will come of this burden? I must have faith in the faith that brought me here. Truly, when I first discovered Your love, I didn't need to see the whole picture. Standing in Your presence and receiving Your grace was enough.

Let it be enough for me now. The message of Your love and mercy spreads broad and deep - not because I believe, but because You are in charge. Through Your grace I will find peace in the not knowing.

Limitless

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

Your grace goes far beyond the measure of my sin. That is hard to imagine. I dig myself into holes so deep I cannot get out by my own strength. I reach for Your hand, and You help me climb back to the surface.

It seems that I invent new transgressions every day. Small ones. Big ones. The list seems never ending when I think back over the years. But because Your mercy is generous and forgiving, I am the only one counting!

Start Your Day Right

"When I said, my foot is slipping, Your mercy and loving kindness, O Lord, held me up"

Psalm 94:18

Some people seem to start their day on the "wrong foot." They feel all right when they wake up, but as soon as something goes wrong, they lose their footing an walk with a "loser's limp" the rest of the day. Once they are off to a bad start, it seems they never catch up.

If someone offends us early in the morning, our anger can keep us defensive all day. If we start the day rushing, it seems we never slow down. But today our feet can be firmly planted in God's Word. There will be no "bad day" when God's Word supports, strengthens, and directs us.