Psalm 61 - "Less Like Me"

 

God took me to Isiah 61 this morning to remind me of how much He desires to live in and though me. It begins with these words in The Passion Translation...

The mighty Spirit of Lord Yahweh is wrapped around me because Yahweh has anointed me as a messenger to preach good news to the poor. He sent me to heal the wounds of the brokenhearted to tell captives, “You are free, and to tell prisoners, “Be free from your darkness.”

My past, my history is my testimony. The things God has brought me through are things others are or have gone through and need deliverance from. When we live in our past, the enemy finds ways to get into our life and play havoc. We must stay strong in our faith and close to God so He can use us as He desires. My past has some 'ugly' things in it but they are not who I am. They are situations God uses to help others through 'tough' times. Sexual abuse as a child, having a sister murdered, divorce, disease, loss of my Daddy, loss of my husband...the list is ugly but I am grateful every time God uses the ugliness to show His love, grace, and mercy. I am grateful I have chosen to allow Him to use my past to help others. I am grateful He loves others through me. Plain and simple. I am grateful. I was so blessed as I visited with new neighbors yesterday. It seems like we have known each other forever. What a blessing to have them open up with their story and ask for prayer. God is so, so good. These days of late have seemed so crazy with all going on yet He continues to show me how to take time to sit and chat. He continues to give me peace in my spirit to do what He puts before me and not necessarily what I think 'needs done.' I was also blessed yesterday to talk with a parent who is struggling with their adult son and the decisions he is making. Another, 'wow God' moment! I say again, God is so, so good! I pray for more of Him and less of me.

Oh, I Have Days I Lose The Fight
Try My Best But Just Don't Get It Right
Well I Talk A Talk That I Don't Walk
And Miss The Moments Right Before My Eyes
Somebody With A Hurt That I Could Have Helped
Somebody With A Hand That I Could Have Held
When I Just Can't See Past Myself
Oh Lord Help Me Be

 

A Little More Like Mercy' A Little More Like Grace
A Little More Like Kindness' Goodness, Love, And Faith
A Little More Like Patience's A Little More Like Peace
A Little More Like Jesus, A Little Less Like Me

Dear Jesus, Thank You for the opportunities to love on people yesterday and the ones ahead in this day! Thank You for my new neighbors who I felt like I have known for years as we sat and chatted! Thank You for keeping my focus on You! Thank You for phone conversations throughout the day that blessed me in abundance! I am so thankful to be able to talk with my Momma, my sister Linda, and Rickey even though we are miles apart. Thank You for our Bible study last night and the way You spoke through Your Word! Thank You for safe travels for Beth and Bob! Thank You for cleansing me so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You! May You shine brightly through my words, actions, attitude, and thoughts today. I pray for continued healing in Linda and my friend Kaye. I pray for Serenna as she awaits test results and Julianna as she is hospitalized with unknown pain. Lord, be greater than these circumstances. May the enemy not get a foothold into any situation today but instead You be greater. Thank You Jesus for being My Wrap Around Presence! Amen.