Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Testify

John 3:31-33  He who comes from above is above all;  he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth.  He who comes from heaven is above all.  And that He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony.  He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true.

Father, more than anything, I want to read and study Your word to better know who You are and to show that You are true.  I don't want others to look at me and see will, strength, or determination, I want them to see a passionate commitment to glorifying You in an area where struggle and defeat previously prevailed.  I want others to see that it's not about give and take but blessings that are natural, flowing from following Your ways of doing things.  Help me rely on Your strength, Your power, and Your Spirit in me regardless of the circumstances I am in.  Amen





Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Decrease

John 3:29-30  He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears Him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice.  Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled.  He must increase, but I must decrease.

Father, hearing Your voice is truly the greatest joy I know.  That You would take the time to talk to me, to let me know the things You need me to know so that I can do the things You've planned for me or to comfort those You put in my cirlce, is beyond understanding.  Help me to decrease so that anyone I spend time with is acutely aware that they were with You.  Give me Your words, Your thoughts, Your eyes and ears to see them and hear them the way You do, and to love and encourage them as You would.  I don't want to be a wallflower that stands in the corner waiting for someone to pick me.  Rather I want Your presence and hand on my life to be so powerfully clear that others are drawn to You as I become Your hands and feet.  Amen



Monday, November 28, 2016

Refine Me

John 3:25-28  Then there arose a dispute between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purification.  And they came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified ~ behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!"  John answered and said, "A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven.  You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, 'I am no the Christ,' but, 'I have been sent before Him.'

Father, I know first hand how loyalty to a person and not You is a distortion of faith.  And to think that being made pure can be achieved from anyone but You is insanity.  The gift of baptism comes from You.  The gift of purification comes from You as the refining fire that burns off what is not pure.  But they didn't get that.  They took what was made symbolically clean and expected it to be applied to the deepest, darkest parts of their hearts and souls.  Father, help me yield to Your cleansing process, the one that rids me of ugliness, judgement, and self-righteousness.  Help me be an image of You, refined by Your hand, not the words or teaching of someone created in Your image.  Amen.



Sunday, November 27, 2016

Pursue Your Purpose

John 3:22-24  After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He remained with them and baptized.  Now John was also baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there.  And they came and were baptized.  For John had not yet been thrown into prison.

Father I can't understand what it would be like to have You come along side me physically doin the same thing I am and think I wouldn't be tempted to step back, find something new to do, or just be present for crowd control.  What's so amazing is that John was given the job first, You joined him in his efforts, and he just kept going because the opportunity still existed.  I don't want to shrink back froom my responsibility just because You join me and I"m too distracted to keep going.  I only wan to step back because You give me something new to do or want me to stop.  Help me see the doors that might be ajar because You opened them.  Help me be strong enough in You to move past my fleshy insecurities to know whatever is behind them can not hurt me because You are my refuge and protector.  Don't let me get caught up in anything that isn't Your best for me, but only in the things You are weaving into my story.  Amen



Saturday, November 26, 2016

The Light

John 3:18-21  He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.  And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.  But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.

Father, the fact is condemnation was not Your intent, saving grace was, and is.  And the condemnation that exists is not becuase of the sinful human heart but because of the rejection of the light that exposes it.  It's the choosing of darkness over light, the unwillingness to acknowledge the sin, and the refusal to admit the need of forgiveness ~ which is available to ALL who ask, regardless of what needs forgiven and healing.  Until You return, evil and temptation will continue to try and lure us from You.  Quicken our hearts to draw near to You instead, not just in times of trouble, but also in times of calm, so that our feet and reseolve remain steadfast in You.  Amen



Friday, November 25, 2016

So Loved

John 3:9-17  Nicodemus answered and said to Him, "How can these things be?"  Jesus answered and said to him, "Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?  Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness.  If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?  No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.  And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."

Personal Observations.....

1.  Jesus: God flooded the world with water to destroy it, then sent living water to save it.
2.  It's okay to question when you don't understand.
3.  Jesus questions how Nicodemus came to teach the covenant people of God and didn't learn something so relevant before beginning.
4.  Nicodemus would have seen/heard things he didn't understand and didn't get the significance of them in relation to Scriptures he would have been teaching.
5.  When God created He did it through Jesus and through Jesus what He created would be saved.

Father, I can not for even a fleeting moment pretend to understand all that means from Your perspective, I can only think about what You are revealing to me and stirring in my heart.  Help me to not only know what You have said and to remember what You are showing me but also apply it in the way You intend for me to use it.  You never want us to just be hearers, but You call us to be doers also.  Your truth is meant to make a difference in how we live, think, and act.  Guide my steps and thoughts, brand Your truth deeply on my heart, and give me the strength to make a difference for You.  Amen


Thursday, November 24, 2016

New Life

John 3:5-8  Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.  That whihc is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  Do not marvel that I said to you, "You must be born again.'  The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes.  So is everyone who is born of the Spirit."

Father, during creation You made everything through the Spirit.  That makes even more sense when I consider that creation cries out for You to return.  But if we are made through You in the first place, how is it then we are born again?  I believe it's because we finally realize, acknowledge, and accept that life truly does not begin until we humply submit that what You have put in us will not only strengthen, guide, and teach us, but also help us deny what evil and selfish desires naturally reside in our hearts and minds.  It's then that the new man you intended us to be when You planned our time and place in Your story comes to be.  Teach me to rely less on what my human nature has taught me and to fully depend on what Your truth says.  Amen.


Wednesday, November 23, 2016

See and Believe

John 3:1-4  There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.  This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with Him."  Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."  Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old?  Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"

Father, I have too much Nicodemus in me.  I come by night to ask You my questions and pray because no one sees me.  And as if that weren't bad enough, I can acknowledge all the things You've done and who You are but the moment Your answer, Your response, Your plan doesn't make sense, I try to put in in the most logical box that my human mind can comprehend and try to figure it out on my own.  It's like I don't know You don't do things the same way twice or that You are limited to my creative thoughts and imaginings.  Help me remove the limits I've put on You and the ways You work.  Help me see beyond what I can physically see changing before my eyes to notice the feel fo the wind creating the movement in the first place.  Amen





Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Seek First

John 2:23-25  Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did.  But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, and He had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.

Father, I never want to be the one that believes in You because of benefits and perks.  Yes, I have seen and know what You are capable of doing but I never want this to be about what's in it for me.  You alone know the things You want me to do and why, You alone know the plans You have and how my part factors in to the whole story.  Help me seek You first in all I do, constantly aware of any selfish ambition so that my focus can shift back to You alone.  My greatest fear is getting caught up in and believing my own press.  I don't want to think thoughts about me other than the ones You have declared and I want those thoughts to spark in me such an overwhelming desire to share that kind of belief with others that they race to You.  Flood my mind, heart, and eyes with all things You and remind me that You are everything.


Monday, November 21, 2016

Great Expectations

John 2:18-22  So the Jews answered and said to Him, "What sign do You show to us, since You do these things?"  Jesus answered and said to them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."  Then the Jews said, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?"  But He was speaking of the temple of His body.  Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said.

Father, I am quite certain that there are things You have said to me that I either didn't hear, didn't understand, or don't remember that You have come through and fulfilled a promise that I have not acknowledged or become aware of its completion.  Help me to not just write down what You say or whisper into my heart, but to go back and write down Your answer, Your perfect timing, Your amazingly coordinated plan.  Help me to stay alert looking for You and how You are moving, not asleep at the wheel, going through the motions, or blind to all the miracles surrounding me.  Amen




Sunday, November 20, 2016

Welcome to My House

John 2:13-17  Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.  And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep, and doves, and the money changers doing business.  When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen, and poured out the changers' money and overturned the tables.  And He said to those who sold doves, "Take these things away!  Do no make My Father's house a house of merchandise!"  Then His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up!"

Father, You have made Your home in my body.  Your word says my body is Your temple.  Forgive me for the times I've not used it to honor and glorify You above all else.  Help me not only to treat what You have given me with the greatest care and honor but to help others do the same toward themselves and others as well.  Bodies were never meant to be sold or used to sell things that do not have eternal value.  Make my focus clear that it's not about size, definition, appearance, or anything else temporary, only the ability to love and serve others well, being capable because You have made my body strong and able.

Father when temptation comes my way to wander off course in how I care for my body, remind me that the battle waged in my heart and mind offsets Your purpose because I will not treat myself or others the way You intend, but out of reaction to how I feel because of poor decisions, lack of commitment, and a failure to rely on Your strength in a moment of weakness.  Remind me that the thorn You have placed in my side should be celebrated as a constant symbol of Your love and desire to see me through any fiery trial.  Help me to rely on Your promises and to seek Your way out of any distraction that threatens to pull me away from my greatest purpose:  honoring You with every part of me.  Amen.



Saturday, November 19, 2016

The Best for Last

John 2:9-12  When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom.  And he said to him, "Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior.  You have kept the good wine until now!"  This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.  After this He went down to Capernaum, He, His mother, His brothers, and His disciples; and they did not stay there many days.

Father, typically it seems You do the unexpected or the inverse of what people would do without Your influence or leading.  What's so monumentally shocking is that You somehow still manage to build on what we already see as enormous and yet are able to retain the best for last leaving us slackjawed with awe and wonder.  It's almost as if You have taken, "Go big or go home" to a level that no mind woule even think possible.  Help me see that the little things now that You are entrusting to me are the things that will grow because of Your ability to multiply not my own, that every triumph, victory, and success will always be Yours, and that as You decide I am faithful with what I've been given, that You will give me more.  Amen.




Friday, November 18, 2016

Water Into Wine

John 2:5-8  His mother said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it."  Now there were set six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece.  Jesus said to them, "Fill the waterpots with water."  And they filled them up to the brim.  And He said to them, "Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast."  And they took it.

Lord, somehow just in doing something incredibly simple, mundane, and ordinary, You being part of the task or the director of the task turns a common action into a miraculous occurance that can have a monumental effect on everyone present.  Help me comprehend and truly believe that it's not just building arks and leading exiles that makes a huge impact, but being in attendance and doing the simple, yet necessary, that can truly add up to be extraordinary.  The daily compound is more than the once in a lifetime.  Amen.



Thursday, November 17, 2016

Wedding Day

John 2:1-4  On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.  Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding.  And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, "They have no wine."  Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me?  My hour has not yet come."

Father, we don't see Jesus as having a problem with others drinking wine but at the same time, we don't see Him raising a glass and making a toast.  The only thing we can know is that He didn't feel a lack of wine was His concern and that His time to drink it had not yet arrived.  Was He referring to the Last Supper with His disciples?  Could He have been referring to the marriage supper of the lamb?  Could He have meant both?  Regardless of whatever unknown meaning You have chosen to keep hidden, we can see a few things.  Jesus' mother knew she could take any concern to Him.  She also knew that He was the only one that could make the situation better.  And despite our lack of understanding as to why we don't see Him picking up a glass, He was invited to the wedding and wanted to be there.  Father, help me to wait on Your perfect timing in all things.  Whether it's surgery, recovery, healing, an answer to prayer, or Your ability to provide for our needs.  You know the hours assigned for all of it and I know that all of Your promises are kept.  Amen


Wednesday, November 16, 2016

I saw you

John 1:47-51  Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit."  Nathanael said to Him, "How do you know me?"  Jesus answered and said to him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you."  Nathanael answered and said to Him, "Rabbi, You are the Son of God!  You are the King of Israel!"  Jesus answered and said to him, "Because I said to you, 'I saw you under the fig tree,' do you believe?  You will see greater things than these."  And He said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man."

Father, to know You see me no matter where I am is one of the most comforting thoughts.  Help me remember that You are always aware of what is happening and that nothing will ever escape your notice.  Clean up my heart and mind so that no deceit is in me, count me among the Israelites, and give me the strength, courage, and wisdom to proclaim You and who You are to hearts, minds, and ears that are ready.  Let me be witness to heaven opening, God moving, angels coming and going, and even greater things than these.  Let me see you move mountains, part sees, heal the blind, and raise the dead to life.  Amen.



Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Invited

John 1:43-46  The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, "Follow Me."  Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.  Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote ~ Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."  And Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?"  Philip said to him, "Come and see."

Father, You don't beg anyone to join You or plead with them to change their course.  You simply invite them in with an uncomplicated offer to 'follow you.'  And even though at the beginning they may not understand all that means and encompasses, You simply set the example and repeat the offer to 'follow you.'  You don't force it, You don't demand it, You don't intimidate to get it, You just extend Your hand in welcome and lead the way.  And somehow, through time and commitment, You manage to replicate Your desires in us to continue Your mission with Your strength to do what You've prepared in advance for our lives.  Help me to be like You, help me to re-present You to those needing another invitation, and help me follow You closely every day.  Amen



Monday, November 14, 2016

Name Change

John 1:40-42  One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.  He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which is translated, the Christ).  And he brought him to Jesus.  Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, "You are Simon, the son of Jonah.  You shall be called Aphas," (which is tranlsated, a stone).

Father, I can not imagine what it is like to have you directly change a person's name.  To be known by others with the name your family and friends have called you since birth, the name associated with all you have done up to that point, ~ to have it changed permanently, to something You chose intentionally, filled with meaning, purpose, and deliberate attention on the one who would get it ~ is incomprehensible.  Help us to concentrate on what You call us, whether we are aware of it or not.  Help us become the personification of our God given names ~ redeemed, saved, loved, accepted, worthy.  Amen


Sunday, November 13, 2016

Come and See

John 1:38-39  They said to Him, "Rabbi," (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), "where are you staying?"  He said to them, "Come and see."  They came and saw where He was staying and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour).

Father, when Jesus walked this earth, people wanted to be where He was.  They knew there was something about Him, drawing them in, that made them bold enough to ask and curious enough to follow.  And when He was leaving to be with You until His return, He told us that He would be with us to the ends of the age and that we'd never be alone.  How is it that I know that but either forget or don't act like it's true?  Help me to remain aware of Your presence regardless of my surroundings.

Where can I go from Your Spirit?  
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
Psalm 139:7

Help me not to take such a precious promise and dismiss it as if it is nothing.  Help me see You in all the good that is happening and the miracles that You perform every day.  Amen


Saturday, November 12, 2016

What do you seek?

John 1:35-38a  Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples.  And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, "Behold the Lamb of God!"  The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.  Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, "What do you seek?"

Father, I don't even know how to answer that question and have it be complete, all encompassing, and missing nothing.  First, I seek You.  I know that apart from You I can do nothing and so seeking You is a must in every situation.  Second, I seek Your will for my life.  Whatever your purpose is for what You have entrusted to me is where I need You to direct me because on my own, I will seek my desires not Yours.  Third, I seek Your strength knowing that while it might be my arms, legs, and hands doing the work it will always be Your Spirit in me that makes any of it possible.  Fourth, I seek Your forgiveness knowing that I will fall miserably short of Your glory time and time again.  Fifth, I seek your peace because only Your perfect peace can calm my anxious heart.  Sixth, I seek Your rest because only You can restore my weary soul.  Amen



Friday, November 11, 2016

Alert, Aware, and Amazed

John 1:32-34  And John bore witness saying, "I saw the Spirit descending from Heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him.  I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.'  And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God."

John was given an assignment to gou and baptize others with water.  He knew he was doing what he was supposed to do.  At the same tim, he had the ultimate job of multi-tasking.  He had to continue his work while he alos had to keep his eyes and ears open and alert to see the One to come after him.  We aren't told that only John would see this Spirit descend and rest on Jesus, but it seems logical to assume that someone else didn't point it out and ask him what it was, drawing his attention to it.  Was he baptizing when it happened?  Was he on a lunch break?  Was he just heading out for the day or ready to collapse knowing it was over?  Was he praying, waking up from a nap, or exhausted from repeating the same movements and words wondering if he'd missed it?  Regardless of his circumstances, John's willingness to do as he was told and his alert awareness to his surroundings allowed him to witness God move before his eyes.

Father, we get so distracted by shiny objects, mountains that won't move, and opposition we don't think we can defeat.  Help us to trust that if we are doing what You have called us to do, and are seeking You with all of our hearts, that we will find you.  Remind us that Your Spirit lives in us, that through it we have the same power that rose Jesus from the grave, and that we need only to look inward at the changes You have made to know that You are active in our lives.  We don't need to see a dove descending when we can soar on the wings of eagles with you.  Amen.



Thursday, November 10, 2016

Sacred Announcement

John 1:29-31  The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold!  The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!  This is He of whom I said, 'After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.'  I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water."

Father, John announced and called out Jesus for who He is to those within earshot that had heard him mention His coming.  And not only did he call Him out by title, but also by planned action.  It seems almost odd to me that we don't announce Your presence or arrival like that to ourselves.  We can see You every time we open Your word, hear a song that reminds us of who You are, what You are doing, or what You are calling us to do, but we rarely, if ever, acknowledge just how much You are here with us.  Help us to pay more attention to the fact that You never leave us, help us celebrate more frequently the times we are overcome by Your name and what You came to do, help us be intentional about announcing your arrival in the midst of difficulty, and remind us that somehow You have counted us as worthy to know You intimately and include us in Your plans.  Amen


Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Q & A

John 1:24-28  Now those who were sent were from the Pharisees.  And they asked him, saying, "Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prohpet?"  John answered them, saying, "I baptize with water, but there stands one among you whom you do not know.  It is He who, coming after me is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose."  These things were done in Bethabara beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

John was questioned by people who were sent to discover answers.  They needed answers to give to people who needed to know but were not inclined to find out for themselves.  They were trained well with follow up questions and were likely expecting certain answers.  We don't know if they felt relieved, concerned, smug, or disinterested by their actions.  But they came for answers and got them.  Why?  Because above all else, John knew who he was, what he was doing, why he was doing it, and his place in the greater plan.  Perhaps he didn't know where things would end up but he knew that what he was doing mattered and so he continued ~ despite the attention, despite the distraction, despite the questions.  He kept going because his purpose wasn't to get to everyone but rather to the ones he encountered.  And to them, his work was priceless.

Father, help me to be the woman that works for You in the midst of circumstances beyond my control, the woman that is focused on the tasks that You have given, the woman that is not easily distracted by things You have not planned ahead for me.  Help me to be like John, ready with answers, confident in my purpose, and completely satisfied in where you have placed me and why.  Amen.



Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Who Are You?

John 1:19-23  Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?"  He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, "I am not the Christ."  And then they asked him, "What then?  Are you Elijah?"  He said, "I am not."  "Are you a prophet?" And he answered, "No."  Then they said to him, "Who are you that we may give an answer to those who sent us?  What do you say about yourself?"  He said, "I am 'The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: "Make straight the way of the Lord," ' as the prophet Isaiah said."

John must have caused quite a stir that raised enough curiousity to make others want to know who he was.  To be crying out in the wilderness implies there was enough crazy going on that someone had to make sense of it to calm it down for others.  He was announcing that person was coming.  Then they asked him what he said about himself.  He knew who he was, what his purpose was, and who he was trying to reach.  And his answer to their question shows:  (1) he knew God gave him a job, (2) he wanted to complete the job, (3) he knew only God could define him, and (4) he was doing his job well enough to gain the attention and curiosity of others.

Father, however You see fit to include me in that, in Your plan, open my eyes to see it and my heart to yield to it.  Amen



Monday, November 7, 2016

Declaration of Dependence

John 1:18  No one has seen God at any time.  The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, has declared Him.

Father, You sent Your Son so that we might know You better.  And Your Son willingly came that He might help us understand You.  You did all of this because of Your great love.  Your desire has always been, from the outset, a relationship.  You wanted more than just obedience, You wanted to walk with us, talk with us, be with us.  You wanted more than just sacrifice, so you made the ultimate sacrifice so that ours wasn't necessary.  What You want is a heart that seeks Yours, a voice that cries out to You, a hand that reaches for You to hold, and a life that looks like You are our number one priority and that fulfills Your purpose.  Help us not just to know who You are but to know You in our lives as healer, redeemer, restorer, savior.  Remind us that You walked this earth, kept records of Your time here that we might not only survive, but truly live.  Help our voices not only share our experience with You but also shout Your praises, honor, and glory to everyone we know.  Amen



Sunday, November 6, 2016

Mended and Whole

John 1:16-17  And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.  For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Father, You gave us your laws as guidelines to follow to keep us safe, not only as we live our daily lives, but also as we think with our minds and deal with our hearts.  But then Jesus......coming with Your grace that shouts not only of Your character but also Your desire to lavish us with all that You are.  And, as if that weren't enough, You sent Him in truth to teach us who You are, what You are like, and to physically present among us so that those encountered would share their experiences with the world so that Your honor and glory would be carried out to the end of the age.  Help us to represent You well and accurately, in grace and truth, with the light of Jesus shining through the broken vessels we are that You are mending and making whole again.