II Timothy 1:7; John 14:1-4 - "Somewhere In Your Silent Night"

Deaths bring on so many emotions but it seems like when there is a death around a holiday the emotions are more intense. Getting a call from a sobbing teen yesterday morning about her friend who was shot and killed brought many tears. I didn't have answers but I had prayers. When one suddenly dies, it seems harder than when you've grieved through a disease of a loved one and they die. You have time to prepare yourself the best you can as you care for them. This morning I think of four services that are today for people who dealt with disease. I am praying for Steve and his family with Peggy's death. She was a godly woman who knew she was going to spend eternity with her Heavenly Father. That gives comfort but there still will be a great hole in their family. I also am praying for Lydia as she goes through her Daddy's service today. She has watched him suffer for many years. It is hard to lose your Daddy but as a teen it is especially hard. I am praying for Mickey with his father's service and Robo's family with his service. So many people have lost loved ones over this last year. This Christmas will be their first without their loved one. The emotions will be raw and there will be days that will be hard to get through. Those who are in relationship with God will have His strength. It's the ones who are not in relationship with Him that I pray for the most. I do not know how people get through life without Him. My heart breaks for those who do not communicate with Him. It breaks for those who do not know the promise of eternity for them or their loved ones. The first few verses of John 14 give great comfort...

Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.

Believing in God does not bring our loved ones back but it does give us the strength to carry on when they leave this earth. I stand upon II Timothy 1:7 daily to live as He desires of me in His love and empowerment. He has called me to love with His love and I strive to walk in obedience to Him. Even though it's been six years since my Daddy left this earth the emotions are still raw at times. I miss him greatly. Some days the tears fall quickly when I think of Him. Would I want him back on this earth? Not with the cancer in his body. He had suffered a long time but is now healed in Jesus' name! Our last Christmas with him was hard as we gathered for a meal at the church and then went to the house to celebrate with him family by family. We knew it was our last with him so we made as many memories as we could. We were blessed with that time. My heart is breaking this morning with the Momma of the 17 year old that was killed yesterday. She had no time to prepare herself. The families of the officers that have been killed over the last few weeks had no time to prepare. I think of June and her family with Karl's accident. They had no time other than the few days after the accident before he died. Many have no time to prepare themselves for the loss of a loved one yet we all have time to prepare ourselves for eternity. When we accept Jesus in our heart, we are preparing ourselves for not only life on this earth but for eternal life. We need to all live like it is our last day on this earth. We need to not put off doing what God asks of us but instead live out the desires of His heart for us daily. We should not put off what we can do today. When I was diagnosed with MS, I learned I cannot do everything, everyone wants me to do. God stopped me in my tracks to open my eyes to seeing what I do needs to be done in His strength. Over the last few years my eyes have been opened more to seeing the desires of His heart are what I need to strive to do. When I love with His love, He will empower me to do His will. He will open doors to new adventures I would never imagined. Moving to South Carolina and living so close to the water was a dream but now it is a reality. It seems like I rarely get to the beach any more but every day I leave the house I pass over water. Every time I go to town I cross a bridge or two. God blesses me in abundance with the beauty of nature. I don't know how long I will be in this place but as long as I am I will praise God for where He has me. I praise Him for every day He loves on me by giving me opportunities to love on others with His love.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the blessings of yesterday and the ones ahead in this day! Father, I beg You to give Doc a better day physically and emotionally. I pray for a healing in him to happen sooner than later while on this earth. I pray against the side effects of the chemo. Lord, may You work a miracle in him. Father, I pray for Steve, Lydia, Mickey, Robo and their families as they go through services today for their loved ones. I pray continued strength for June and Angie who had services this week for loved ones. I also pray for the mother of the 17 year old who was killed yesterday. I pray Your peace to be over each one. Lord, be with Jim, Renee, Shirley, Peggy, and Pattie who are going through their first Christmas without their spouse. Father, I know there are many more who need to feel Your strength through the holidays with the loss of loved ones. May You be a comfort to all but most of all may You be real to all so they will be in relationship with You. Thank You Jesus for being My Comfort! Amen.

II Timothy 1:7; Psalm 9; Romans 8 - "Battles"

The Lord took me to Psalm 9 this morning. I read it in different translations and settled in on The Passion Translation. This Psalm was believed to be written by David after he killed Goliath. He was just a young man yet not only accomplished slaying the giant but also wrote such a wonderful Psalm. Wow, God! Verse one shows how we are to live every day.

Lord, I will worship you with extended hands
as my whole heart explodes with praise!
I will tell everyone everywhere about your wonderful works
and how your marvelous miracles exceed expectations!

Yes! We are to worship Him, praise Him, and tell others about Him. He performs miracles every day in our lives whether we see them or not. When we wake up breathing, that is a miracle. Every time we are on the roads without an accident, that is a miracle. Sometimes having food in the house or gas in the car is a miracle. We can look around and see His miraculous ways all around us. We also can look around and see people who need to know Him. We were put on this earth to love with His love so more people would love Him. There are people who try to tear our faith apart but when we live in God's presence that is not possible. When the enemy comes knocking, all we have to do is worship God and he will run away. Verse three tells us, They stumble and perish before Your presence. John Wesley said, "The best of all is, God is with us." Romans 8 tells us how to live life in His Spirit. We are conquerors when we live such a life. The chapter ends in the New International Version with:

31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;
    we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Woo hoo! I can conquer anything that comes my way with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. I do not have to fight on my own when I am living in God's presence. I am never alone with God in my life. Sometimes I feel alone and am grateful for the way He wraps His arms around me and encourages me. Sometimes He encourages me by answering prayers. Sometimes it is through words or actions of others. Sometimes it is through what He accomplishes through me. No matter what, He encourages me to keep on keepin' on. He encourages me to remember that nothing can separate me from His love. He encourages me daily to stand upon His empowerment and love that Paul speaks of in II Timothy 1:7.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the blessings of yesterday and the ones ahead in this day! Thank You for the physical strength to accomplish what was accomplished yesterday! Thank You for loving me through my emotional melt-down last night! Thank You for being with Doc on one of his worst days with after effects of chemo! Thank You for my time with my friend Carrie yesterday! Thank You for loving me so much! Father, may You cleanse me so You can fill me with more of You today so people will see/hear You instead of me. May my words, actions, and attitude be Your throughout this day. May I not lose my focus from You. I do not want to miss any opportunity You put before me. Father, I pray for You to ooze out of me in a new, different way. I pray for protection from the enemy throughout this day as he tries to tear me down. I pray for physical, mental, emotional, financial, and most of all spiritual strength today. I pray the same for Steve, June, Mikey, and many others with their recent loses of loved ones. I ask that You put people before: those who are feeling alone; those struggling financially and do not have gifts for their family for Christmas or even food; and those dealing with the loss of a loved one whether it be through death, divorce, or a prodigal. Father, I've dealt with such things and it's hard but You loved me through tough times and I know You will do the same for all when we allow You. Every time I go to the grocery store I am thankful for what You provide. I remember times where there wasn't enough money to stretch for all that was needed but You always provided. I'm thankful for people who loved us through such times. I will never forget when Cathy brought us groceries at the time of my MS diagnosis; many people who provided meals, groceries, or gift cards throughout the years when we were going through difficult times; and unexpected money in the mail. You have always provided exactly what we needed and for that I am grateful. When the enemy comes knocking, I do not have to be afraid because of Your love and empowerment. Thank You for that! Thank You Jesus for being My Battle Conqueror! Amen.

II Timothy 1:7; Psalm 91 - "The Way"

God had me awake a couple times during the night praying. There just seems to be so many people going through 'tough' days... 

• Many with the flu and some deaths from it.
• Families with recent deaths: June, Robo's, Steve, Mikey.
• Those dealing with illnesses or accidents: Doc, Mike, Dale, Rita, Mark, Baby Finn, Little Richie, Little Natalie, Kandi, my two pastor friends, Craig, my Momma's neighbor, Mick, Carol, one who the doctors have no answers for, one with back issues, and many others.
• Those going through their first holiday season without their spouse: Jim, Pattie, Renee, Shirley.
• A friend who has been without a job for a few months.
• A friend who is having a breast biopsy today.
• Baby Weston who was born early.
• Mr. Fran who is struggling with weakness.
• My friend whose wife is an alcoholic.
• My pastor friend whose marriage is falling apart.
• Two families in turmoil.
• Another pastor friend who is seeking God's will to get back into the pulpit.

Those who are believers know they can depend upon God. I do not know how people live without Him in their life. The only way I get through my days is to continually communicate with Him. I stand upon II Timothy 1:7 every day. I know for me to live in the way He desires I must be empowered by His Holy Spirit. To be empowered by His Holy Spirit I must not only ask Him into my heart but allow Him to fully cleanse me so I can not only hear His voice but walk in obedience to it. My heart breaks for so many people. I rejoice with those who have walked through a dark valley and are now on the other side. But once again I think of those who aren't in relationship Christ or have fallen away from Him. The tears are falling for lost souls. It's hard to pray for 'whatever it takes' to get them to come to Christ yet when you think of where they are headed that prayer falls off the lips. I know I need to get better at sharing His love. I need to be bolder with asking people how their heart is. God put me where He has me to be a beacon of light for Him. I need to shine brighter than ever before. Sometimes it becomes difficult due to circumstances but I cannot allow my circumstances to take my focus off of Him. I need to be more intentional in living for eternal life with Christ. Psalm 91 reads:

1-13 You who sit down in the High God’s presence,
    spend the night in Shaddai’s shadow,
Say this: “God, you’re my refuge.
    I trust in you and I’m safe!”
That’s right—he rescues you from hidden traps,
    shields you from deadly hazards.
His huge outstretched arms protect you—
    under them you’re perfectly safe;
    his arms fend off all harm.
Fear nothing—not wild wolves in the night,
    not flying arrows in the day,
Not disease that prowls through the darkness,
    not disaster that erupts at high noon.
Even though others succumb all around,
    drop like flies right and left,
    no harm will even graze you.
You’ll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance,
    watch the wicked turn into corpses.
Yes, because God’s your refuge,
    the High God your very own home,
Evil can’t get close to you,
    harm can’t get through the door.
He ordered his angels
    to guard you wherever you go.
If you stumble, they’ll catch you;
    their job is to keep you from falling.
You’ll walk unharmed among lions and snakes,
    and kick young lions and serpents from the path.

14-16 “If you’ll hold on to me for dear life,” says God,
    “I’ll get you out of any trouble.
I’ll give you the best of care
    if you’ll only get to know and trust me.
Call me and I’ll answer, be at your side in bad times;
    I’ll rescue you, then throw you a party.
I’ll give you a long life,
    give you a long drink of salvation!”

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for loving me so much that You wake me in the middle of the night to pray for others! Thank You for Your love, mercy, and grace! Thank You for using me to be a prayer warrior! Thank You for reminding me of Psalm 91 during my nighttime prayer! Thank You for being with the ones I prayed for during the night. June; Robo's family; Steve; Mikey; Doc; Mike; Dale; Rita; Mark; Baby Finn; Little Richie; Little Natalie; Kandi; my two pastor friends; Craig; Mick; my Momma's neighbor; Carol; one who the doctors have no answers; one with back issues; Jim; Pattie; Renee; Shirley; a friend without work; another friend who is having a breast biopsy today; Baby Weston; Mr Fran; a friend whose wife is an alcoholic; one whose marriage is falling apart; two families in turmoil; a pastor seeking God's will to get back into the pulpit. May each one of them and/or their family read and ponder upon Psalm 91. Father, I pray for a cleansing in my spirit so You can fill me with more of You. I pray for my focus to be sharper today so I do not miss any opportunity You put before me. I also pray for a better day for Doc today than yesterday with the chemo side effects. Lord, I beg You to heal him sooner than later while he is on this earth. This is the hardest thing I've ever gone through. Take my faith deeper, Lord. Thank You for being My Way, Truth, and Life! Amen. 

II Timothy 1:7; Phil 4:8-9, 13; Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Build My Life"

What a fun time we had last night with the children and teens caroling around the neighborhood. I love this tradition we started a few years ago. Singing to Grammy is always a highlight for me. Seeing the little ones so excited warms my heart. I am grateful for the adults who helped last night and for Doc being able to drive us around. God is so good to me. He blesses me in abundance. Yesterday I had three opportunities to share about God and our church with people. Woo hoo! I loved all I came in contact with His love. At the end of the day, I was tired but it was a 'good' tired. Today has a few things on the scheduled but I pray God will keep my focus so I do not miss any opportunity to be Him to all I meet. I pray His words, actions, and attitude will be mine. The only way for this to happen is for me to stand in His presence with II Timothy 1:7 as my guide. His power and love can only flow in and through me as I live in His presence. His wisdom can only shine from me when I stand upon Proverbs 3:5-6 and trust Him with my whole being. His empowerment can only be mine as I live out Philippians 4:13. People will only experience Him through me when I show them a Philippians 4:8. They will only have His peace when I follow Philippians 4:9. All of the New Testament Scriptures I mentioned are Paul's words. He was a great follower of Christ who even praised him when he was in prison (Acts 16). Not only did Paul praise him in prison but he used the situation to convert people. I was thinking about how we are 'imprisoned' at times by our situations or circumstances. We are chained to health, financial, relationship, etc. issues. God wants to give us freedom from these things but He also will use us through them. Having a disease such as cancer can be devastating. But just because we have a disease does not mean we have to be a slave to it. God will give us exactly what we need to walk in His freedom through it. He will empower us with physical, mental, emotional, financial, and especially spiritual strength to do His will through it. He will give us His peace as we trust and believe in Him. I will not quit praying for Doc's healing to happen while he is on this earth. But until the time of his healing comes I will pray for God's strength to be his so he can continue living out the life God has put him in. We have had some 'normal' time Sunday with him driving in the parade, Monday with shopping and lunch out, and then last night with him driving for caroling. Woo hoo! But throughout these 'normal' times cancer was still there. It was still causing fatigue but God's strength was greater. Today I pray God's strength to be greater than the chemo treatment. I pray for God to be so real to him especially since I can't be with him. Even though I can't be there in person I will be praying for him and be there in spirit. I pray he feels that. I am praying II Timothy 1:7 over him today in a mighty way. I know God can and will empower him with the Holy Spirit just as He has done in the past.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for the blessings from yesterday and the ones ahead in this day! Thank You for the opportunities You have given me to love on people and will continue to give me. Lord, I ask for Your empowerment of II Timothy 1:7; Your strength of Philippians 4:8; Your peace of Philippians 4:9; and Your direction of Proverbs 3:5-6 for both myself and Doc. I know the only way this can be accomplished is for Your cleansing and filling of the Holy Spirit in us. May You be our words, actions, and attitude wherever we go. Father, I pray for more people to live this type of life where You are in control. I pray for You to bless people in abundance through all who live out a life of holiness. God be greater than anything that comes our way. I pray You will be greater than the chemo going into Doc today. I pray against side effects from the treatment and that You would shrink the tumor by it. Thank You Jesus for being Our Greater! Amen.

II Timothy 1:7; Luke 6 - "Build My Life"

Luke 6 is about Jesus' teachings while on this earth. In the beginning of the chapter there is controversy over what was allowed and not allowed to be done on the Sabbath. There are things that must be done such as eating as the disciples plucked corn to eat. But we must never forget that we are to live out the Sabbath in honor. We also must never forget to look to Jesus as an example. Before naming the twelve disciples He spent the night in prayer. Verses twenty-seven through thirty-six give us hard lessons for our flesh to hear and practice. 

27 “But if you will listen, I say to you, love your enemies and do something wonderful for them in return for their hatred. 28 When someone curses you, bless that person in return. When you are mistreated and harassed by others, accept it as your mission to pray for them. 29 To those who despise you, continue to serve them and minister to them. If someone takes away your coat, give him as a gift your shirt as well. 30 When someone comes to beg from you, give to that person what you have. When things are wrongly taken from you, do not demand they be given back. 31 However you wish to be treated by others is how you should treat everyone else.

32 “Are you really showing true love by only loving those who love you back? Even those who don’t know God will do that. 33 Are you really showing compassion when you do good deeds only to those who do good deeds to you? Even those who don’t know God will do that.

34 “If you lend money only to those you know will repay you, what credit is that to your character? Even those who don’t know God do that. 35 But love your enemies and continue to treat them well. When you lend money, don’t despair if you are never paid back, for it is not lost. You will receive a rich reward and you will be known as true children of the Most High God, having his same nature. For your Father is famous for his kindness to heal even the thankless and cruel. 36 Show mercy and compassion for others, just as your heavenly Father overflows with mercy and compassion for all.”

Matthew Henry wrote, But if we are thoroughly grounded in faith of Christ's love, this will make His commands easy to us. If we desire to love with His love, we first must be filled with it. To be filled with it we must be willing to say 'yes' even when it may be hard to do. We must live out II Timothy 1:7 every day. God woke me up in the middle of the night to read Luke 6:33. I knew I had to read the whole chapter or at least the section where that verse was found to get the just of what was being said. Verse thirty-three tells us we need to love everyone not just those who are 'easy' to love. Even those who do not know Jesus love people. But only those in full relationship with Him can love everyone with His love. I asked God to forgive me for anytime I did not show His love to someone. I thought about the situation when the man who came into the church after service asking for money for food. We have a history with him. We've given over and over but we have seen him buying things other than food when given money. I'm thankful for the wisdom God gave me with the situation. I asked God if he was the one I didn't love with His love and was thankful to hear, "No, Daughter." I then asked Him to tell me who it was and He said, "They have not been before you yet." That means God is warning me for an opportunity that will come. I pray my focus stays on Him so I do not miss such an opportunity. I am grateful for times such as this when God directs me before something happens. I desire to produce good fruit as described in verses forty-four. The only way for me to do this is to be in relationship where I can not only hear His voice but follow what He desires of me. Verse forty-six through forty-nine describes how I desire to live with Him as my foundation.

46 “What good does it do for you to say I am your Lord and Master if what I teach you is not put into practice? 47 Let me describe the one who truly follows me and does what I say. 48 He is like a man who chooses the right place to build a house and then lays a deep and secure foundation. When the storms and floods rage against that house, it continues to stand strong and unshaken through the tempest, for it has been wisely built on the right foundation. 49 But the one who has heard my teaching and does not obey it is like a man who builds a house without laying any foundation whatsoever. When the storms and floods rage against that house, it will immediately collapse and become a total loss. Which of these two builders will you be?”

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for waking me in the middle of the night with Scripture to read this morning! Thank You for a good nights rest and Doc making my breakfast this morning! Thank You for some hours of normalcy Sunday and again yesterday! Thank You for our time of shopping and having lunch out yesterday! I love Doc so much and miss these times. What a blessing to have them yesterday in between blood work and the board meeting. Thank You for the blessing of the church covering his health insurance! Thank You for all the ways You bless us everyday! Lord, I pray for those who have lost spouses over the last year to feel Your strength. I can't even begin to think about what life would be without Doc. With the pancreatic cancer knocking at his door I know this may become a reality for me but I continue to pray for a healing for him on this earth so we can continue to do life together. May You comfort: Steve, Jim, Renee, Shirley, June, the spouse of the young veteran who died this week, and many others. May Your strength be their strength to get through the tough days. Thank You Jesus for being My Foundation! Amen.

II Timothy 1:7; Psalm 37:4 - "Blessings"

Psalm 37:4 reads, Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart (NIV). I strive to delight in the Lord every day. He often gives me the desires of my heart. Yesterday was one of those days. I had asked God to help Doc feel better so we could do ministry together with church and the Christmas parade. He didn't feel very good when he got up but when I asked if he needed me to preach he told me he would get through it. I prayed he wouldn't just get through it but would be empowered through his preaching. I was pleasantly surprised when he said he was going to the parade. Not only did he go but he drove the truck in it as I was with our teen boys handing out candy. We were both hurting and very tired when we got home but it was a 'good' tired in just knowing God had answered my prayers so we could be together. After the rough Saturday we had, we needed this type of Sunday. We can never give up praying. Instead we need to dig deeper in our faith and trust God with every aspect of life. Even though God already knows what's on our heart, we need to voice our thoughts and feelings to Him. Such action is not needed for Him but for us. The more we pray, the deeper He will take us in our relationship with Him. I want to go deeper with God. The desires of my heart are to walk in the desires of His heart. I want to take every opportunity He puts before me. I want to pursue Him in a way that will show His supernatural empowerment in and through me. I can't get enough of Him. It seems like the more I read His Word, the more I want to read it. I loved hearing Ms. Paula say when she was reading for our Sunday School lesson she couldn't stop and a couple hours later realized what time it was. That is how all believers need to be. We must never become lukewarm but need to stay hot for Him. The only way to do that is by being in a true relationship with Him. Praying where we are in conversation with Him. Reading His Word to the point of not being able to put it down. Loving on others that He puts in our path with His unconditional love. Allowing Him to have full control over our lives. Woo hoo! All it takes is standing upon II Timothy 1:7.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the blessings of yesterday and the blessings ahead in this day! Thank You for loving me so greatly! Thank You for giving Doc a better day yesterday than the day before! Father, I pray You will empower me through Your Holy Spirit to be who You have called me to be. Cleanse me so You can fill me. May people see/hear You instead of me today. Thank You for the wisdom You provided me yesterday with the man asking for money again and the words You gave me to say. I pray for June and her family as they go through the funeral today. I pray You will be so real to them. I pray for Your strength for: Steve and his family; the family of the little boy killed in Bluffton Saturday; Robo's family; Dale; Mike; Mike; Maxine; Rita; Little Richie; Little Natalie; Finn and his family; Mark; Kari; Melanie; Mick; my pastor friend with cancer; my friend with marital issues; Becky; and so many others going through 'tough' days. May You be greater than what they are living through. May You be more real to them than ever before. Thank You Father for being My Strength! Amen.

II Timothy 1:7; Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Confidence"

Last night the Lord only woke me once to pray and it was a 'usual' Saturday night with praying for pastors. He had me pray for pastors in general with just a couple specific situations. Before going to bed I prayed for my pastor who had such a horrible day yesterday. I prayed for Doc's healing to be sooner than later on this earth; wisdom for him; and that he could preach today and feel like participating by riding in the Christmas parade. Sometimes I feel like my prayers for him are selfish because I want him with me doing ministry as it was before the cancer came into our lives. But the Lord knows the desires of my heart and I feel like my 'selfish' prayers are ok. God also had me praying for Steve as Peggy is in her last moments on this earth and for a pastor friend whose marriage is crumbling. He had me pray for all pastors who will be going into the pulpit today to realize He is in control. There are many pastors who try to put on a superman/superwoman cape and do ministry in their own strength instead of being empowered by His strength. There are many pastors who have allowed people to direct their path instead of the Lord. I was reminded of two verses. II Timothy 1:7 tells us God wants to empower us to love with His love and in His strength and Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us the way to live is by allowing God to direct our path by trusting Him. Both of these verses take a great amount of trust and faith to live out. Both of them show us that life should not be done on our own but with Him. Too many times we get caught up in the calendar or checkbook activities and forget He is the One we need to seek for wisdom. He is the One we need to seek for every aspect of life on this earth if we truly want to live with Him for eternity. We cannot wait until 'tomorrow' to change our ways. We must walk with Him daily. It takes saying 'yes' to Him every day of our life. We must ask for a cleansing in our spirit every morning so He can fill us with more of His Spirit. That is the only true way to live life. This morning I am praying for more people, especially pastors, to come to the end of themselves and allow God to be who He desires to be in their life. I am praying more people will stand upon II Timothy 1:7 and Proverbs 3:5-6. I am praying today will be a day of eternal change for many.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the way You comforted us yesterday as we dealt with the after effects of chemo! Thank You for being so close! Thank You for giving me the privilege to pray multiple times throughout the day and night for my pastor/husband Doc! Father, I can't imagine what life would be if You were not with us. I pray for my pastor friend whose marriage is crumbling to have Your strength as they go into the pulpit this morning. I pray for Your wisdom as they make decisions that will effect their children and ministry. Lord, my prayers continue for Steve as Peggy nears her last breathe on this earth. May You continue to be his strength. Last night and again this morning You have me praying for all but especially pastors to get to the end of themselves and allow You to be in control of their lives. I pray for more to say 'yes' to You and ask for cleansing in their spirits. I pray for a cleansing in my spirit as I start this day. May You cleanse me so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. May Your love ooze out of me in a new, different way today. Father, I know some of my prayers may seem selfish to some but I miss my husband doing ministry with me. I miss having 'normal' times with him. Lord, I don't want to have our life as we our living right now to be our 'normal' and I pray for His healing on this earth to be sooner than later. Thank You Jesus for being My Confidence! Amen.