“Let your eyes look directly ahead and let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you.” (Proverbs 4:25, NAS)Let your eyes look directly aheadLord, my eyes wander.They look longingly to places that appear greener and more appealing than where You have planted me.They lust after the successes and riches of others.They roam looking for distracting paths and easy streets.I focus on the negative, the crisis and the urgent. I strive to keep mopping the water spilling all over the floor instead of looking up and simply turning off the faucet. My attention drifts from focusing only on You and what You have set before me.Proverbs corrects my vision by bringing the spotlight back onto You.You direct me to fix my gaze straight ahead where You lead.You lead. I follow.When I keep my eyes only on You, I don’t stray off your given path.You are the way. The only way.You alone.You. … [Read more...]
Praying with Joy – Lectio Divina
In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy. Philippians 1:4I always pray with joyOk Lord, that is not entirely true for me. I do not always pray with joy in all of my prayers.Maybe most of them.Well, some of them.To be honest, the majority of my prayers are not with joy.The other emotions demand center stage – fear, anxiety, desperation.Sprinkle in a little trust, devotion, and thankfulness - all waiting on the sidelinesI even express love - once in a while. But joy?Joy is an element often missing. That makes me sad.Lord, help me remember to pray with joy each and every time. Joy is Your essential ingredient that makes the bread rise. Joy is the yeast that ferments and grows the batch. I need Your joy.Whenever I approach Your throne, may joy be the first and last taste on my lips. … [Read more...]
Remembering my Leaders – Lectio Divina
Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Hebrews 13:7 (NRSV)Remember your leaders.Thank you Lord for all who have led me to You.I remember them today with gratefulness.The older lady who played piano in our Sunday School classroom. My mom using a colorful washcloth to tell my four year old self the stories from the Bible like Joseph and his coat of many colors.The preacher who I thought looked like God.My best friend praying with me at 3 a.m. when my father unexpectedly died.The friends who knelt beside me during tough times in college.The neighbor who welcomed me when loneliness smothered my heart.Your children who walked with you in ancient times whose quotes continue to inspire me today.The writers who poured out their hearts on paper with words that I cherish.The artists who painted visions of You in imaginative styles that feed my eyes and my soul.The hymn writers who glorified You with … [Read more...]
Guard My Heart, Lord – Lectio Divina
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." ~Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) Fear cannot win.Anxiety cannot take me over.Worry is vanquished.Nothing can penetrate the Lord’s protection.The peace of God guards my heart and mind.Lord why do I let the heaviness of the world weigh me down? Too often I forget You promised to be with me always, tenderly protecting my heart and mind in Your almighty hands.Your power is greater than anything the devil throws at me or I imagine in weak melancholy moments.The peace of God guards my heart and mind.Amazing, Lord, that what shields me is your peace.Your peace is my shelter and watchful guard.And all you ask of me is not to be anxious, but lift everything up to You in prayer.With a heart brimming over with gratitude, I thank You for your protection of peace. … [Read more...]
Please Don’t Let my Hem Unravel, Lord – Lectio Divina
You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Psalm 139:5Hem me in, LordThank you for being my front guard.Praise you for standing behind me.Your precious presence protects me every moment.If I move left, so do You.When I swerve to the right, you remain with me.And when I get lost and fall off the path as I so often do, You gently guide me back.Your hand never leaves me, even when I feel so alone and vulnerable.Your strength supports my weakened knees when fear invades my heart.When life unravels and become uneven, You hem me in.You protect me.You guide meYou hem me in.You shield and watch over me.The great Guard of my life. My Shelter and Lord! … [Read more...]
Gentleness – Lectio Divina
Let your gentleness be evident to all. Philippians 4:5a (NIV)GentlenessLord I ask for Your spirit of gentleness to shine in my life.May I reflect Your kindness in all that I meet.May I treat my own self with tender love.GentlenessLoving others with a strong and decent goodnessWalking humbly through life, being honest with selfSpeaking and being a blessing to others.GentlenessThank you for Your never-ending gentleness with me.Thank you for the gentleness shown to me by othersThank you for being Gentleness. … [Read more...]
God is Enough – Lectio Divina
"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19 (NIV) God will meet all my needs.All I need.Everything.I don’t need to look elsewhere.God is enough.I don’t need worldly distractions.I don’t need comfort foods.I need God and God alone.God is enough.Not just any godMY God.My God is enough.I cling to this promise and belief, Lord, in my walk. You are enough.Abraham said in Genesis, "The name of our God is JEHOVAH-JIREH, the Lord will see and the Lord will provide."Jehovah-Jireh, I place my trust and love in You. You are enough. … [Read more...]
God the Creator – Lectio Divina
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.Isaiah 40:28 (NIV) The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.CreatorMakerOriginatorArtist ExtraordinaireFashioner of puffy clouds, crawling bugs, and long necked giraffesBuilderComposerArchitectDesigner of every detail from beginning to endInventorAuthor Molder of masterpieces and shaper of soulsLord you are the genesis, the source of all creativityLord you are the spark of all eternity.Praise you for being the source, the fountain, and the seed of vitality.You are Creator. … [Read more...]