Morning Prayer

Friday at last...I feel exhausted. I find myself looking for an escape, something to run to, something exciting, new, fun...but would that really do it for me? Perhaps in the short term - yes. However, judging from the past I would feel more empty than before as its "peace and joy" are hollow or momentary at best.

The fact is nothing fills the place only God is big enough for. I know that. Why is it then that I gravitate to the temporary, those things that can't deliver? Perhaps it's my independent "I'm big enough - I can handle it" mindset. Maybe it's my lack of trust that He will come through with what I think I need. Or more to the point, my unwillingness to wait on the Lord until He delivers.

He has been SO faithful to me over the years, He has come through in ways I could only have dreamt of with perfect timing and so generously too...yet I find myself in this place again. What is wrong with me?! The fact is I just don't have what it takes to live the life of faith.

That's enough to send me to my knees.


Morning Prayer

Lord, here it is another day
Please fill my life anew
I am bereft of what it takes
To live this life for You

Deliver me from futile efforts
To walk with dignity and power
Impose on me Your very essence
As in the beauty of a flower

Cleanse me from the inside out
Eradicate my mess
Ooze Your being through mortal me
Or I am nothing, I confess.

9-24-07


John 15:5
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

2 Corinthians 2:14-15
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.

John 7:38
Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.

Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV)
"But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength..."

"Those who hope in (trust in, look expectantly to) the Lord will renew their strength." Their weakness will give way to God's strength (NIV Study Bible). In fact "they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

Through Trials

My position is not to simply endure, just waiting for relief but to grow in faith and appreciation for the One Who carries me and mercifully moves me to another place. I must also keep before me the big picture of bringing sons to Him and glory before all men.


Through Trials

“To know You is to love You”
I heard this as a child
But to experience this through trials?
Now that is truly wild!

You’d think that only good times
Would make me love you more
But no, that’s just the time You prove
Your love and what’s in store

It’s not until I suffer loss
And am in Your comfort bathed
I realize more of Who You are
And from what it is I’m saved

Not only that but soon it’s clear
What they reveal in me
When squarely faced and embraced
I live authentically

6-22-07

James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Lamentation 3:22-24
Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."

2 Timothy 2:9b-10
But God's word is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.