II Timothy 1:7; Deut 6:4-9; Phil 4:8; Mark 12:28-30 - "El Shaddai"

These words were on my mind throughout the night and again this morning...

El Shaddai, El Shaddai,
El-Elyon na Adonai,
Age to age You're still the same,
By the power of the name.
El Shaddai, El Shaddai,
Erkahmka na Adonai,
I will praise you 'till I die,
El Shaddai.

Yes! God is worthy of our praise! He loves us so greatly! He takes care of our needs and answers our prayers! He is always with us and goes before us! He protects us even from things we are not aware of! He empowers us to live without fear when we stand upon II Timothy 1:7 and love with His love. Living in His presence gives a person much to praise Him for. The title El Shaddai is translated as being Almighty God. He is Almighty in every aspect. He is the greatest there can be. The title Shaddai (Almighty) is found 41 times in the Old Testament with 29 of those being in the book of Job. That is interesting when I think about the life Job lived with one thing after another hitting him. Throughout Job's life he questioned God as to why things happened as they did. It is ok to question Him but we must be in relationship to where we can hear His response. Job's response of being silent in chapter 40 is what God desires of us. As we are silent, we can hear better. When we hear Him better, we will know what He desires of us. I found it interesting this morning to find out Shaddai is written on the Mezuzah scroll. We have one on our front door but it broke. I was just looking to replace it last night and God brought this to my attention this morning. I love the way He works! 

Hear, O Israel: The LORD (YHWH) our God (Elohim), the LORD (YHWH) is one.
Love the LORD (YHWH) your God (Elohim) with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.

Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
(Deuteronomy 6:4-9 parenthetical text added)

These words are ones all believers should live by. Yes, they are from the Old Testament but they still apply to today. The Shema (a Hebrew prayer) is the beginning words of Jesus in Mark 12:28-30 when He gave us the greatest commandment. That in itself shows the importance of it. I cross-stitched it and it is hanging by our back door. Our home is full of God's Word. It is important to be reminded of His Word every day. It also is important to know when you walk into the house or as you are leaving God is with you. It is also important to not allow anything that happens in your home to put a barrier between you and God. This morning I am reminded of Philippians 4:8 which I call the 'junk in-junk out' Scripture. It is also known as the 'whatever' verse.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

We've been watching a TV show that has a great story line that keeps you guessing who did it or how. But the Lord has convicted me to quit watching it. His name is not taken in vain in it as in a lot of shows but we fast forward past other scenes. Even though we fast forward past them the pictures are still in our minds. I do not need such things. I am putting 'junk' in that is unnecessary. Therefore, I will stop watching it. I desire to love Him with my whole being. I desire to hear His voice but to do so there cannot be anything between us. I desire to love with His love but if I am not in complete relationship with Him that is not possible.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for opening my eyes to something that was causing a barrier to be between us! Thank You for bringing this song to me this morning that reminded me of the Mezuzah on our front door and the Shema at the back door! Thank You for being the One I desire to live for! Thank You for the blessings of yesterday and the ones ahead in this day! Thank You for Doc having more strength yesterday! Thank You for my time with my friend and her friends at the assisted living facility! Father, I pray for: Kim who is having surgery this morning; Shirley, Jim, and Renee who are going through their first holidays without their spouse; Terry with decisions with her mother's care; Little Finn and his family; Will and Sandy as they continue their new adventure; Rhonda; and so many others who are going through 'tough' days. May all draw closer to You! Father, cleanse me so You can fill me! Thank You for showing me the need to stop watching this TV show! Use me to love with Your love! Thank You Jesus for being My El Shaddai! Amen.

II Timothy 1:7; Psalm 99; I Peter 1:13-16 - "Revelation Song"

The Lord took me to Psalm 99 this morning. As I read it in different translations, I began having Revelation Song going through my mind. 

Worthy is the, 
Lamb who was slain
Holy, Holy, is He
Sing a new song, to Him who sits on
Heaven's Mercy Seat...

In The Passion Translation this Scripture reads...

Yahweh is King over all! Everyone trembles in awe before him.
He rules enthroned between the wings of the cherubim.
So let the earth shake and quake in wonder before him!
2 For Yahweh is great and glorious in the midst of his Zion-people.
He is exalted above all!
3 Let everyone praise this breathtaking God, for he is holy.
4 A lover of justice is our mighty King; he is right in all his ways.
He insists on being fair to all,
promoting true justice and righteousness in Jacob.
5 So everyone, exalt the Lord our God
facedown before his glory-throne, for he is great and holy.
6 God has his praying priests,
like Moses, Aaron, and Samuel, who all interceded,
asking God for help.
God heard their cries and came to their rescue.
7 He spoke to them from the pillar of clouds
and they followed his instructions,
doing everything he told them.
8 God, the great forgiver, answered their prayers.
Yet he would punish them when they went astray.
9 Keep exalting the Lord our God
facedown before his glory-throne, for he is great and holy!

Woo hoo! Spurgeon wrote of this Psalm: "Saints quiver with devout emotion, and sinners quiver with terror when the rule of Jehovah is fully perceived and felt." (The word 'quiver' is 'trembles' in verse one of all of the other translations I read.) All should be in awe of Him but there are some who think He is like a make-believe character such as Santa Claus. They think we are wasting our time with praying just as children waste their time asking for gifts from Santa Claus. Those people are so wrong in their thinking. God is very real. He does not just reside in heaven but is always with us. He hears our prayers and answers them. His answers may not be the answers we desire nor in the time we want them answered but He does answer them. We need to praise Him for all answers. Verse three reads, Let everyone praise this breathtaking God, for He is holy. The word 'holy' means to be set apart. God is set apart from us because He was not created as He created us. He is divine, we are human. He is completely holy, whereas we seek to be holy. We seek to be Christ-like and live as close of a perfect life as possible. We cannot be perfect because we are human but He desires us to seek this lifestyle. I Peter 1:13-16 reads:

Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

Adam Clarke wrote: "His holiness - the immaculate purity of his nature, was the reason why he should be exalted, praised, and worshipped." Woo hoo! I love to praise God! I love to worship Him! The more I do, the less I think of my problems in life. The more I lift His name up, the more I desire to love on others with His love. The more I pray, the closer I feel Him. He saw Moses, Aaron and Samuel as His praying priests. I desire to be seen by Him as His praying daughter. He brings people to my mind throughout the day to pray for and I pray. He wakes me in the middle of the night to pray and I do. I desire to walk in obedience. The desire of my heart is to do whatever He puts before me. God gave me a second chance when I walked away from Him. I do not want to ever disappoint Him for doing so. I also do not ever want to make Him ashamed of me. He deserves my praises! He deserves to be lifted up! I love these words in the Revelation Song...

Blessing and honor, strength and
Glory and power be
To You the Only Wise King...

Yes! He knows what is best for me. He knows the end result of all situations. He does give us free choice but when we are walking with Him, He will be our choice. He knows every hair on our head. Plain and simple. He knows all. That is one of the perks of walking in obedience to Him. We do not have to fret over anything because we know He is in control. Woo hoo!

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the blessings of yesterday and the ones ahead in this day! Thank You for loving me so greatly! Thank You for our friends Jack and Paula, Nancy, and Will and Sandy who shared Thanksgiving with us! Thank You for giving Doc strength yesterday! I pray You will give Him mental strength today as He puts his sermon together. I pray You will cleanse me so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. May You be my words, actions, and attitude throughout this day. May You be greater than any obstacle that comes my way! Thank You Jesus for being My Holiness! Amen.

II Timothy 1:7 - "Give Thanks"

Thirty-nine years ago my first son was born on this day! That year it was the day after Thanksgiving. Thirty-nine years! Wow! I will never forget that first time of holding him. He was perfect! He was so beautiful with his dark hair and warm complexion. I would have to say he pretty much was the perfect baby. He slept 10-12 hours at night at six weeks on with 2-3 hour naps morning and afternoon for his first year. After that he went to taking a 2-3 hour nap in the afternoon. I remember him getting off the school bus from morning kindergarten and being starved but so tired many days he fell asleep in his food. I love the memories of feeding him because he loved to eat and I believe still does! He did love his Grandpa McHenry and spent many nights with them making memories. His Grandpa was noted for making his concoctions that made nasty diapers when he was a toddler and both of them would just laugh and laugh. When we moved to Willard, he moved in with them and their bond grew even deeper. I know he misses his Grandpa as much as I miss my Daddy. His Grandpa would be so proud of the man he is. I love to hear Paul say, "Mom, I love you!" With technology today those words happen more in texts than in conversation. I miss the way life was with we lived in the same house but God gave us Paul to raise to be a man of God. He gave us him to love and nurture. It's so hard being miles apart from my 'babies' and their babies but I am one proud Momma of the way they are walking in God's will. God was the one to direct their move to Texas. I think Paul was afraid to tell me but I was so happy for them with the advancement in his career. He provides well for his family so Lizzy does not have to work but instead volunteers at Miss Bella's school. I hope someday soon to be able to see their new home and experience life with them for a short time. I am looking forward to seeing them at Christmastime when we all are in Ohio. I can't wait to have a hug and 'I love you!' in person. One thing Paul never did when he was growing up was leave the house with that. I pray he practices the same with Lizzy and she knows he loves her as much as I know he loves me. I also pray he continues to live out II Timothy 1:7 in not fearing the things that come his way but instead living in God's love through them.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for Paul's birth! Thank You for giving me the privilege to be his Momma! Father, may he feel Your presence in a new, different way today. May he feel Your love in a greater way than ever before. I pray continued blessings upon him. I started praying for him when I was a little girl. I prayed for my children, their spouses, and my grand babies to love You. Those prayers have been answered and for that I am so grateful. Father, I ask You to continue accepting and answering my prayers for Doc's healing from the cancer. I also pray for: Dale; Mike; Steve; my two pastor friends; a dear lady with mouth cancer; Maxine; Rita; Little Richie; Little Natalie; and so many others dealing with cancer of various kinds. During the night you had me praying for those who will not have a 'happy' Thanksgiving due to their circumstances. I continue to pray for June and her family; Lynn; Mr. Fran; Mike; Baby Weston; Little Finn and so many others who need a healing touch. Lord, cleanse me so You can fill me. Thank You for our friends who are coming today for Thanksgiving! Thank You for giving me so many blessings to be thankful for! Amen.

II Timothy 1:7 - "The Way"

The Lord woke me during the night to pray for a man who was in a serious car accident Sunday. He had me pray for all to lean into His strength in the days ahead as life has changed so drastically for them. Then and again this morning when I woke up He brought the words to The Way into my mind... 

I believe You are the Way, the Truth, the Life 

Yes! This is what I believe. God is Everything. He is there for us on the mountains and in the valleys of life. Some have more experience with valleys than others. As I look back on my life, I see many valleys but I also have experienced many mountains. This song tells us that He is our fortress...our portion...our hiding place...our provider...protector and the One I love. There is a part of the song that speaks volumes to me...

It's a new horizon, and I'm set on You
And You meet me here today with mercies that are new
All my fears and doubts they can all come too
Because they can't stay long when I'm here with You

Today is a new day. Yesterday is gone. We cannot change yesterday but we can change the way we face today and tomorrow. God gave me II Timothy 1:7 last spring right before Doc was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I'm so grateful He did. This scripture empowers me to stand in His strength through the fears that come along with our life right now. I fell apart when I found out the blood work showed a doubling in the cancer number. A couple days later after praying for God to help me I received His peace that the scan would not show the cancer had spread. He reassured me everything was going to be OK. His peace came with that reassurance. I no longer fretted but allowed God to wash over me with peace. I continue to stand upon II Timothy 1:7 and I continue to ask God for healing in his body while he is on this earth. Last night I had a dream I pray is many years away but it gave me encouragement in knowing God is right here with us. He is not going to leave us. He will continue to lead us as we allow Him. Yesterday was a full day where I ended up with tears due to pain but He was there with me every step of the way. He was there when: I witnessed to the medical personnel who did my test; I prayed with my elderly friend; I traveled miles on the busy roads; as I led the children/teen group last night; I explained to one little girl about ghosts, spirits, etc.; my body was hurting from head to toe...He was there every step of my day. I am so grateful I am not 'doing' life alone or in my own strength. God knows what we need, even before we need it. He knew when I was falling apart I needed Doc to tell me calm down. He knew I needed Joshua's calm demeanor when I talked with him about the van. He knew I needed direction on whether to combine the children and teens for class. Plain and simple. He knew. Praise His Holy Name! Today is a new day with the appointment with the oncologist and getting ready for tomorrow. But I hope I am so focused on Him that I don't miss what He desires of me. I look forward to opportunities to love with His love. Yesterday was full of what some would call 'obstacles' or things from the enemy. Perhaps some were but I know there were 'opportunities' from the Lord to stretch my faith. People were watching me to see how I was living out my life. If I would have been crabby with the children last night, they would have not had a fun time and neither would I. I am grateful God was in control.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the privilege to love with Your love on so many people yesterday! I pray the same for today. I pray You will cleanse me so You can fill me with more of Your love. May You be my words, actions, and attitude. Father, I also continue to pray for healing in Doc's body. I pray today will be a better day for him. The physical issues are affecting him greatly. May You be greater than them. I also pray for: my dear friends who are going through all of the issues from the car accident; one who was recently diagnosed with MS; the young man who had cancer surgery this week; one who is having mouth cancer surgery in a few weeks; those traveling; and everyone who is hurting for various reasons with the Thanksgiving holiday. Thank You for the things the kids said last night when we went around the room expressing what we were thankful for. Thank You for Joshua driving the van, Bubba helping on the van, Rhonda cooking, and Sheri helping with the children last night! You are so awesome in the way You continue to bless our ministry. Thank You Jesus for being My Way, Truth and Life! Amen.

II Timothy 1:7 - "Thrive"

During the night God woke me to pray for those who are struggling with this holiday season. He had me pray for so many who are having a 'hard' time with saying 'Happy Thanksgiving' and feeling happiness. There are many reasons holidays can be hard and He brought many into my prayers.

• Those who live away from their family and cannot get together.
• Those with prodigal children.
• Those without a home, food on their table, etc.
• Those whose family is torn apart due to conflict.
• Military families with loved ones deployed.
• Police, fire, hospital/emergency personnel, military etc. who must work on the holiday.
• Families with loved ones facing a terminal disease where it may be their last holiday on this earth.
• Those who have lost a loved one and this is their first Thanksgiving without them. 
• Those who lost loved ones whether it be a year or twenty years ago that miss them greatly.
• My friend in the hospital in critical condition from an accident on Sunday.
• My friend who has three eight hour days of chemo this week. 
• A young man who had testicular cancer surgery yesterday that has spread to his abdomen as he awaits testing to see if it has spread further. 
• Those who are lonely, especially the elderly who are so often forgotten.
• The newly divorced or separated.
• Those with depression.
• Those looking for employment.
• College students who are too far from home to go for the holidays, especially missionary kids.

As I prayed, the tears came. I have so much to be grateful for. I've been in some of these situations before. I remember some tough holidays. God brought me through them and will see everyone through them that allows Him. He desires to comfort us through 'tough' days. His desire is for us to lean into His strength to not just 'get through' them but to thrive through them. I love a song Casting Crowns sings called Thrive. Part of it goes...

Just to know You and
To make You known
We lift Your name on High
Shine like the sun make darkness run and hide
We know we were made for so much more
Than ordinary lives
It's time for us to more than just survive
We were made to thrive

Yes! The result of allowing God to work in and through us is found later in the song when it goes...

Joy Unspeakable, Faith Unsinkable, Love Unstoppable, Anything is possible

Yes! All things are possible when God is in the middle of it. I remember times of feeling like a holiday would never end because I felt so alone. I felt like there was no way to put together a holiday meal because of lack of finances but God provided. It is in such days God shows up and loves on us more than ever imaginable. He loves on us with a love that is unfathomable. He is a gentleman and won't push Himself on us but the desire of His heart is for all to love Him. My heart is breaking this morning as I think of some who are in 'tough' situations and are not in relationship with Him. I don't know how people get through life without Him. I talk to Him all the time and lean into His strength to get through every day. 

When my body physically hurts, I pray for His strength to do His will.   

When my emotional body hurts, I pray for His strength to help with the tears.

When my mental capacities are struggling, I pray for His strength to give me clarity.

When my financial being is struggling, I pray for His provision.

When my spiritual strength is dwindling, I pray for people to pray for me.

I go through at least one of these situations every day of life. That is why I am so close to God. Many times when people have 'good' days, they don't realize they need Him. It is during the 'challenging' times our faith grows. I am so thankful God gave me II Timothy 1:7 to stand upon prior to the pancreatic cancer diagnosis in Doc's body. When He opened my eyes to the fact that self-control/sound mind/self-discipline, meant moving from just believing to being Christ-like. I am so grateful for the way He loves me enough to encourage me to love like He does. I also am grateful for the peace that comes with living a II Timothy 1:7 type of life. Woo hoo!

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for waking me to pray for so many during the night! Thank You for the way You are going to heal Doc's body so he can function today! Lord, these last few days have been so tough on him. May today be the day You are greater than the cancer in him. Lord, my heart is hurting to see him struggling so. I pray for all I prayed for during the night that are struggling physically, mentally, emotionally, financially, and most of all spiritually. Lord, my prayer list is long and I don't need to say all the names but I pray especially for: Doc; the family of the man in the accident; my friend in his second day of chemo; the young man who had testicular cancer surgery yesterday; Jim, Shirley, and Renee with the first Thanksgiving without their spouses; Steve, Mark, Dale, Rita, Mike, Maxine, and my two pastor friends as they or their spouses are dealing with cancer; my friend who continues to look for employment; and so many others. Lord, may You be greater than their situations. Father, cleanse me so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. May You be my words, actions, and attitude throughout this day. Thank You Jesus for being My Strength. Amen.

II Timothy 1:7; Psalm 113 - "Battles"

Throughout the night God woke me multiple times to pray for a dear family who experienced the husband/father being in a car accident yesterday. He had me pray for them to lean into His strength to get through this situation. I prayed for all who cared for him to have wisdom and a gentle touch. The Lord reminded me they know how to be strong with being retired military. That reminded me to pray for Mr. Fran who is having 'tough' days with the Parkinson's disease in his body. I prayed for many who are battling cancer in their bodies. He brought to my mind these words to a song The After sing called Battles. 

You're going before me and oceans are parting
You're fighting my battles
When my feet are failing and my heart is shaking
You're fighting my battles

God has already won the Battles before us. All we have to do is lean into Him and allow Him to fight for us. The enemy hates Him and gets so mad as we love Him. The enemy was not happy with the answer to prayers for Doc's scan. He was not happy with the praising that followed the results of the cancer not spreading AND the mass being 'slightly' smaller. He was not happy when Doc got out of bed yesterday not feeling well yet went to church and preached. We are not on this earth to make the enemy happy. We are here to please God and will continue to do so. This song starts with...

This current is trying to wreck me
Like castles of sand
Castles of sand
My fear, like an enemy army
Is marching again
But I'm making a stand

You surround me on every side
Your love is my armor, I fear no evil
Darkness runs from Your light
So I won't be afraid
I won't be afraid

I get a word picture of sand castles that waves take down. When children build them and they are taken down, they don't give up. They rebuild. Many times when they rebuild the castles are made stronger. That is what this journey with cancer is like. Every time fear creeps in with the 'what ifs' God surrounds us with His empowerment to stand firm. In the times when our faith starts to crumble He is there to build it up stronger. We have nothing to fear. The Lord already knows the end of our story. All we need to do is stand in His empowerment in II Timothy 1:7. During the night He told me to read and ponder upon Psalm 113. This is a song of praise the Jews sang before partaking of the Passover meal. They praised God for their deliverance. We need to praise God for His deliverance. He protects us from things we do not even know about. He loves us greatly and desires for us to be in relationship with Him. I saw a church sign the other day that said something like, 'God doesn't want just weekend visits. He wants full custody!' This is the truth. He doesn't want us to just come to Him in times of turmoil but He wants us living in complete relationship with Him 24/7. He wants to love on us and bless us. He wants us to share His love everywhere we go. He wants us to know He is always with us. He wants us to know when our 'sand castle' starts to get wiped out by a wave, He is there to empower us to adjust. We may have to move a little farther 'up the beach' but it's just taking us closer to Him. It may mean we may need to make 'our castle' stronger but that just means going deeper in our faith. If it weren't so 'cold' here, I would go build a sand castle just for the fun of it! I believe it would make this song be even more pertinent to our situation. Until I get back to the beach I will praise Him for all the ways He empowers us. I love the praises of Psalm 113...

 Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!
Go ahead, praise the Lord, all you loving servants of God!
Keep it up! Praise him some more!
2 For the glorious name of the Lord is blessed forever and ever.
3 From sunrise brilliance to sunset beauty,
lift up his praise from dawn to dusk!
4 For he rules on high over the nations
with a glory that outshines even the heavens.
5 No one can be compared to God, enthroned on high!
6 He stoops down to look upon the sky and the earth.
7 He promotes the poor, picking them up from the dirt,
and rescues the needy from the garbage dump.
8 He turns paupers into princes and seats them
on their royal thrones of honor.
9 God’s grace provides for the barren ones a joyful home with children
so that even childless couples find a family.
He makes them happy parents surrounded by their pride and joy.
That’s the God we praise, so give it all to him!

Woo hoo, God! You are so good! Your love is so amazing! Your empowerment is what gets me through the 'tough' days!

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for waking me multiple times during the night to pray for this dear family whose husband/father was in a bad accident! Thank You for putting people with them who are sharing Your love! Thank You for the praises of the cancer not spreading and the tumor being 'slightly' smaller on Doc's scan! Father, I pray today is a better day for him physically. I pray You will give him a dose of encouragement. Thank You for the opportunity to anoint him and Kandi yesterday! Lord, go before them and others who are battling cancer. I pray for Your touch upon: Steve; Mark; Dale; Mike; Maxine; my two pastor friends; and so many others. I also pray Your touch upon: Jim; Shirley; and Renee with the upcoming holidays. Thank You for the time delivering Thanksgiving cards at the nursing home yesterday. I praise You for Joshua and Tiffany bringing supper over to us last night. What a blessing! Lord, I pray for a cleansing in my spirit so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. I pray there be nothing between You and I so Your love can ooze out of me in a mighty way! May You flow from my words, actions, and attitude throughout this day in a new, different way! Thank You for Father for being My Battle Warrior! Amen.

II Timothy 1:7 - "Lift Me Up"

I woke up to these words from the song Lift Me Up from The Afters going through my mind...

You lift me up when I am weak
Your arms wrap around me
Your love catches me 
So I'm letting go
You lift me up when I can't see
Your heart is all that I need
Your love carries me 
So I'm letting go

Throughout the night the Lord had me praying for pastors. He had me pray for Steve and Mark as they are caring for their wives. He also had me pray for Doc and two pastor friends going through the journey of cancer. Physical issues are hard on people, their families, and/or caregivers. It hurts to watch someone struggle physically. It affects every area of life. I was grateful when I saw pictures of Patty and the children at Disney. Brian had wanted to take the family there and praise God for the anonymous donor who provided for the trip. My prayers went to a pastor who has been out of the pulpit for awhile and looking to return. I prayed for God's wisdom, love, and grace to surround him. I also prayed for pastors with prodigal children to not give up praying. I prayed for congregations to surround their pastor with love and support. It's hard to be a pastor and feel like there is no one to talk to. Some pastors do not have someone to confide in other than their spouses. But a spouse cannot always be the 'right' choice to confide in. Sometimes the situations that are being dealt with are 'too close to home' to talk with a spouse. This led my prayers for all pastors to have a friend and accountability partner. For ones who do, I prayed they would be more transparent with their accountability partner. For those who do not, I prayed someone would come into their lives and it would happen soon. I prayed against fear in pastors as they go into the pulpit. Some fear the people will get mad at what they preach while others preach whatever they want instead of listening for God's direction. I pray for more pastors to stand upon II Timothy 1:7 and not allow fear to be a part of their lives but instead allow God to empower them to do His will. I pray this for myself. I do not want to allow the enemy to tear my witness into shreds. Instead I want to be who God has called me to be.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for a night of prayer for pastors! Thank You for being with Doc throughout the night as it was a 'tough' one! Thank You for being with him yesterday through the CT scan and throughout the rest of the day when he was so miserable! Father, I pray he will be able to not only go to church today but to preach. If I need to preach, I pray for Your physical, mental, emotional, and most of all spiritual strength. Cleanse me, Father so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. I pray Your words, actions, and attitude will flow out of me! Thank You for my friend who sent a check yesterday for the Building Fund! May You continue to direct us with this endeavor. May people listen to You on giving toward this project. Father, there are many pastors hurting. Some because of physical issues in their spouses such as Steve and Mark. I pray for Your strength to come down over them. Some are hurting over situations in their churches. May Your wisdom be there wisdom. I pray for one who has asked for prayer for spiritual warfare that is happening in the church he is serving. I pray for one who is seeking to return to the pulpit to have Your wisdom for him and his family. Lord, may all of those You have called to preach feel You in a new, different way. Lord, thank You for being The One To Lift Me Up! Amen.

II Timothy 1:7; Psalm 5 - "God of All My Days"

The Lord directed me to Psalm 5 this morning. David wrote this Psalm about how God hears our prayers. He gave glory to God for this. It begins with these words:

Listen, Yahweh, to my passionate prayer!
Can’t you hear my groaning?
2 Don’t you hear how I’m crying out to you?
My King and my God, consider my every word,
for I am calling out to you.
3 At each and every sunrise you will hear my voice
as I prepare my sacrifice of prayer to you.
Every morning I lay out the pieces of my life on the altar
and wait for your fire to fall upon my heart. (TPT)

I can relate to the way David felt. I pray passionately to the Lord, believing He not only hears my prayers but will answer them. Every morning I pray for Him to cleanse me so He can fill me. That is the only way I can live a '24/7' was of life for Him where I not only hear His voice but I walk in obedience to it. Matthew Henry writes about prayer, "The most encouraging principle of prayer, and the powerful plea of prayers, is, to look upon him as our King and our God." God is greater than any person or thing. He is greater than anything we can imagine. Many people struggle when God does not answer their prayers. But He answers every prayer. It may not be in the manner or timing we desire but we must remember in His greatness, He knows what is best. A song Casting Crowns sings is on my heart this morning...

In my worry, God, You are my stillness
In my searching, God, You are my answers
In my blindness, God, You are my vision
In my bondage, God, You are my freedom
In my weakness, God, You are my power
You're the reason that I sing
‘Cause You're the God of all my days

Yes! He is the God of all my days! He is the God of yesterday and the God of today! He is the One I pray to and receive blessings from! He is the One that directs me throughout each and every day! I am so grateful for Him! I am grateful for the way He encourages me to pray not only for myself and family but for so many others. I am so grateful for answering my prayers. Even when the answer is not what I had prayed for, He still answers me. I am grateful for the way He empowers me to stand upon II Timothy 1:7. Most of all I am grateful for knowing as I live for Him on this earth, I will live with Him for eternity. Oh how I pray more people would come into relationship with Him. I also pray those who know Him would go deeper in their faith and allow Him to be in control of their lives as He desires. I love the word picture the last verses give in Psalm 5. In The Living Testament they read:

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
    let them sing joyful praises forever.
Spread your protection over them,
    that all who love your name may be filled with joy.
12 For you bless the godly, O Lord;
    you surround them with your shield of love.

Woo hoo! ALL can rejoice! ALL can be filled with His joy! ALL can be blessed! ALL can be loved by Him! How? By accepting Him into their heart and then taking the next step to allowing Him to be the God of all their days.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You once again for bringing Scripture and a song to my heart to start my day! Thank You for being the One in charge of my days! Thank You for going before us today and giving Your peace with Doc's scan! Lord, I continue to pray for a 'clean' scan with no cancer showing at all! I know that will take a miracle and I'm believing You will provide! Woo hoo! Father, thank You for Anthony's mother having successful surgery yesterday; Doc walking over to Joshua and Tiffany's to wish Sissy a happy birthday; my time with my friends at the assisted living facility; a new pastor friend I met; and so many other ways You blessed us yesterday! Thank You for cleansing me this morning so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You! Father, may You be my words, actions, and attitude in a new, different way today! Thank You for being the God of All My Days! Amen.