Contradictions...

My prayer:

Amazing God. Why is it that some of the things that feel so good in the short term are the same things that can destroy us? That does not seem like the way it should be. Shouldn't good things feel good and bad things feel bad? It would make this life a whole lot easier! But instead, we have all of these things, like sexual sin, that start off feeling really good but can later destroy us and all these other things (like exercise) that hurt like heck to begin with but in the end do us a lot of good. 

Contradictions. Now that I think about it, there are a lot of contradictions in your Kingdom. Give up your life to save it. The last will be first. To be a leader, become a servant...just to name a few. So, what is the point of logic if reality is not logical? 

I am full of questions tonight God, hoping you are full of answers you can share...

What God Said Tonight:

The thing is, the answers won't help you in the way that you think they will. Understanding why it is the way that it is will not make it easier to live. 

I have given you all of the answers. It is in the book. 

I can help you live this life and understand the contradictions. If everything was completely logical, you would not need me. You are smart, I made you that way. You could figure it all out on your own if it was logical. The way it is, you need to rely on me. You need to lean on me and trust me.. Without that, would you need me? 

There are so many things that steal my kids from me. I don't want it to be easier for you to turn your back on me. I will always guide you and show you my way. I will always be with you. I promise, you won't ever have to figure out life on your own without my help. 

You have some specific questions tonight. Why is it that things that start out good end up hurting and vice versa. It is not as simple as you might hope. There are times when circumstances change so quickly, that we do not need the man we called to play a part. This is one of those times. You may leave. 

One thing you can always count on. I am your champion and I am always with you. Sweet girl, it will all work out, I promise. You are firmly rooted in me and you will go on to do great and might things.

Obedience...

My prayer:

Amazing God! Thank you God for your help. Thank you for keeping me safe and whole and making right decisions. Thank you for always helping when I ask. Thank you God for being you and bringing me through this latest test, complete and whole. 

God I thank you for your continued help and support. I thank you that you will never leave me or turn your back on me. I thank you God that you are never shocked, you are never surprised by the things I struggle with and you are always there to pull me out. 

What is on your mind tonight? I long to hear your voice,

What God Said Tonight:

My daughter, I am not sure you understand the significance of this season in your life. The fact is, you don't really have to understand it I guess, as long as you are diligent to follow my commands for your life. 

I know that at times it can be restrictive. There are times when you really want to do that thing I have told you to. 

Obedience is a sign of your trust of me. It is a sign that you trust me more than you do yourself to know what is best for you.

That is what makes obedience so beautiful to me. It is not that I need a bunch of drones following me saying "Yes sir..." It is just that it shows your love and trust of me when you do or don't do something just because I have told you. You obedience is a gift to me and so beautiful. 

Obedience has gained a negative connotation over the years, but that is not how I see it. I see as a reflection of your love and it is so beautiful to me. 

Disobedience cuts like a knife for the same reason. It shows a lack of trust. It shows that you think you know better than I do. It shows me that you are more interested in the world than in me. 

I thank you daughter for your obedience. It will pay off. I love you.

Help...

My prayer:

Incredible God of everything. I am a bit stunned God. I had no idea this would be such a battle. I had no idea the act of not doing something would be so hard. But, then again, that is always harder. Quitting smoking is a whole lot harder than starting smoking. Not eating that dessert is a lot harder than eating it...etc. 

Thank you God for not giving up on me and helping me to be the person that you have created me to be. Thank you God for favor on my life, even when I don't deserve it. Thank you God for this wonderful life you have given me which is such a gift, not earned. Thank you God for not giving me what I earn...that could be disastrous. Thank you for forgiving me for every time I fall short.

I pray for continued help, guidance, grace and mercy for everyday of the rest of my life. 

What God Said Tonight:

Can you hear me tonight? It may be hard with all of the thoughts in your head. Clear your mind a minute. Stop feeling guilty, stop worrying that an unguarded moment will result in your down fall. 

I will not let you down. I hear your heart and know you need help. I don't leave you alone to fight battles. Have I ever? No, I am here to be your ever present help in times of danger. I am here to be your shelter in a storm. I am here to guide you all the days of your life. 

You are about to see something broken off you that is harming you. 

I am your warrior and your guardian angel. I love you so much and I have every intention of keeping you precious and whole. I have no intention of allowing you to be harmed or marred. I love you with an intensity and a power that would frighten you if you could really understand it. It is because of my great love of you that I am willing to give anything to have you with me, forever. 

I am your God, you are my child. We are of the same one flesh and am your teacher. Let me keep you from the pain and from the results of the wrong choices. Trust me to know what your very best is.

Love, all the time...,

My prayer:

What if every child of God came together and decided to just love. Nothing else, just love all the time? Sounds like a cheesy commercial of some kind, but what if. Wouldn't that be amazing God? It should be possible, you made us from your love. How can we do any more or any less? My God I love you. 

What God Said Tonight:

Love is my nature. It is who I am and who I made you to be. You are right, if we all loved all of the time, there would be mo need for any other rule, law or delay in the promise of a new heaven and new earth.

Sin steals the ability to love like that. To love with all abandon.

You are free to love my daughter. I love you more than I can say. Share that love everywhere you go. you may not change the world but you will change everyone you meet.

I love you my sweet daughter. Go rest now. Let me love you and rest for tomorrow. It si a good day with much to do.

Temptation...

My prayer:

Perfect God. I am in a struggle tonight. There are things in this life that you have told me, that for my own good, I cannot have. I know this is true. I know that these things that I am wanting are not good for me. I know, that if I were to give into temptation, they would not make me happy and would actually make me miserable. I know all of that in my head and yet, it doesn't stop me from wanting them. Why do I still want things that I know are no good for me? I am usually a pretty rationale person. I am usually very logical. But, not tonight. Tonight I am sitting here wanting things that I know I should't have. 

Why and how do I stop wanting them? Thank you God in advance for your help. Thank you God for letting me bring anything and everything to you. 

What God Said Tonight:

It would not be called temptation if it wasn't tempting. Even my son was tempted. Do you think you are above him that you should not be tempted? It is simple. You know who the tempter is. You know his game. You know that he lures you into temptation with thoughts that it will be ok just this once. He tells you that you deserve it. He tells you that you are worth it and that it will bring you great satisfaction. 

He is the deceiver. He is a liar. He knows there is one area of your life that you are not satisfied in and he will work very hard to tempt you in that area. He cannot tempt you in areas that you are satisfied. There is no need there. But, in this area, the one where you feel deprived, he can keep coming at you. 

Recognize it for what it is and get your mind on good things. Get your mind on me. Get your mind on the promise that I have on your life. Get your mind on all the many things in your life that are fully satisfying. I will satisfy all of your needs and give you the desires of your heart but you must wait for me and  my timing. It is the best. It is the best for you for me and for the kingdom. 

Hang in there sweet girl. Resist the devil. You will be victorious.

Deep calling out to deep...

My prayer:

I feel so much peace tonight God. You are the God of peace. You have the peace that goes beyond our ability to understand it. I am at peace with you and at my home away from home. I am so comfortable here God. It is as if I have had a second home my whole life. Every time I visit here, it is like coming home. 

My home is with you. Anyplace that you are, it is my home. I bet if I turned that around, I would find that everyplace is my home because every where I go , you are with me. 

My home, my peace, my joy, my salvation, my healer, my blessing...it is all you God! I love you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!

What God Said Tonight:

Open a place for me in your heart and I am there. I am anywhere you invite me to be. I am everywhere, but you will not recognize my presence until you invite me in. 

I am so desperately waiting for my children to invite me in. Invite me into their lives. Invite me into their joy. Invite me into their troubles. I want to be a part of everything that you are. I want to help you with the struggles, celebrate your victories, enjoy your pleasures, I want to be a part of it all. 

I love you. Do you really understand that. Do you remember what it is like when you first fall in love with someone and you want to be with them ALL OF THE TIME? That is how I am with you. I WANT TO BE WITH YOU ALL OF THE TIME. I want to be a part of everything in your life. I want to know you and I want you to know me at an intimate level that goes beyond any other relationship you have. I want to know you at a deeper level than anyone else. I want you to know me at that same level. Deep calling out to deep, that is what I meant when I said that. 

I want to know you and you to know me at a level that is deeper than any other. I love you so much. I have waited so long for this time with you. I have waited so long for you to be ready for this type of relationship with me. You are ready now. Will you agree? Will you trust me? Are you ready for a new level? I think you are but  you have to choose. I love you my sweet daughter.

Why God created you...

My prayer:

Awesome and amazing God! It is good to be back in Israel! This trip will likely be different from the ones in the past but it is just good to be here. I always have so many thoughts when I walk where you walked. 

One thing I was thinking about today as I walked along the beautiful  Mediterranean beach. Why didn't you talk more about being at the Mediterranean Sea? I am sure you spent time there but the only sea I remember you talking about was the Galilee Sea which is really more of a lake than a sea. Maybe you did talk about it but I am not remembering? Paul of course talked about it but i can't remember you talking about it and I am forgetting? You do talk about being in Jaffa which is on the  Mediterranean  

I don't know. It is probably not important. It is just so beautiful to me. I would think it would have provided so many analogies. Well, I think it is pretty clear that I am coming up on more than 24 hours without sleep! My thoughts are pretty random. But, I want to hear your voice, here and now. God, speak to me, please.

What God Said Tonight:

I love being at the ocean with you. I love how you sing my praises to the waves. I love how you see it. I love that you see my power and majesty in it. I love that you see my purpose in it. That is what I love about the ocean, the sea. 

That is why I created my children you know. I love all of the different perspectives and experiences they bring to me. I love to enjoy things with you. That is why it is so hard and painful for me when people, my children, shut me out of parts of their lives. When you put me in a religious and somber box, we miss out on so much. When you keep me relegated to the church house, I miss you. 

Take me with you to the beach. Take me with you when you are out with friends. Take me with you to the movies. I want to enjoy life with you. 

Yes, there is a mighty battle that is raging and it will continue to rage. There are times to fight and to battle. There are times where somber and serious attention is needed. But sometimes, probably more than you think, I just want to enjoy you and being with you doing the things you enjoy. I love you daughter and I love the things you love. 

Rest well when you can. Until then, I will sustain you.