Turning struggle into blessing...

 

My prayer:

Awesome God, I am so grateful that this week is in my rear view mirror! There were times when I was not sure I was going to make it to Sabbath and I am so tired, I can't even really put two thoughts together.


However, when I look at my week compared to the week that many of my friends had, I realize that mine was not so bad. There are a lot of people dealing with much tougher things than I am right now.

Thank you for getting us all through.

What God Said Tonight:

I have ways to use anything and everything for your good. I can turn things around so that the very thing that you thought was going to destroy you actually becomes your biggest blessing.

You see me do it all the time.

So, when you have a week like this, full of struggle and hard work, start to get excited. It just means I have more material to work with. More things that I can turn around to bless you.

Rejoice in me and watch me bless you.

Buried things...

My prayer:

Amazing and wonderful God. I do not always understand what you are doing or why you are doing it, but in the end I am always grateful that you did it. 

Sometimes I feel like Peter, slicing off the soldier's ear in the Garden of Gethsemane thinking he is doing the right thing and protecting you, only to find out that he was getting in the way of what you and the Father wanted to happen.

God, forgive me for the times I have gotten in the way of your will. I ask for wisdom to know when what seems right to me is not in accordance with your will. God, I pray above everything else, that your will is accomplished on earth as it is in heaven.

What God Said Tonight:

I am unearthing some things that have been buried for a very long time. I am bringing out things that have been hidden. I am in the process of revealing things that many have forgotten even existed. 

I am not done yet. There are a lot of debris and dirt that needs to be moved out. But, soon, you will see things that you thought were lost forever, brought out into the light of day. 

Watch for it.

The shape of struggle...

My prayer:

Well God, a whole lot of things went wrong today but nothing that couldn't be fixed. I guess that is the silver lining of it all. Thank you for having the solution to every problem.

God, I ask for more joy, peace, love, purpose and power for me and for the wonderful people you have put in my life.

What God Said Tonight:

It is not so much about the struggle as it is about who you are through the struggle. I will pull you out of every bad situation. I will always bring you out. Who will you be while you are waiting for me? Who will you allow the circumstances to turn you into.

You have heard it before, I am truly more concerned about your character, about who you are and that you be the best you than most anything else. I created you for such great things and I want you to experience them all.

Don't let the struggles mold you into someone you were never meant to be. Keep the shape I gave you. Keep the character I gave you. Keep you, you. I love you. 

Finding contentment...

My prayer;

Wonderful Father. Thank you for a successful day. Thank you especially for your protection over me the last couple of days. There have been quite a few close calls and you have brought me through safe and sound.

I really do not want to be a whiner, but you do say to talk to you about everything. The thing is, I am thoroughly discontent. Nothing horrible is happening. I simply want more. More purpose, more meaning, more love, more you, I want more.

I am so grateful for all that you have given me. Truly, my life is blessed and I feel ungrateful and spoiled to even say this; but, that is where I am at.

I lay this down God and ask for your help.

What God Said Tonight:

I hate to tell you this but you will likely feel discontent more than a few times in our life. You are living in a world that is not your home. You are living n a world that is fallen from grace and you are covered by my grace. Your discontent is real and is partially evidence of you being in this world but not of it.

I can help you. I  can give you more. I can help you to find contentment in me in the midst of your discontent. I can make it better.

But the root of it is, you are misplaced for awhile.

Know, that for this time, I need you where you are. I will call you home when it is time and then you will find the sweet contentment and fullness that you desire. Until then, let me fill you, let me be your  contentment. I love you.

Don't hold back...

My prayer:

Today was a wonderful day of family and celebration of your resurrection Jesus. Thank you for all you have done and all that you do for us, for me.

What God Said Tonight:

What you are not saying is speaking volumes tonight my child. Your questions are clear even though they are silent.

Don't hold back with me. Don't think, ever, that I am too busy or too big to care about your worries. Talk to me about anything. Ask me anything.

The things we talk about are things we can deal with, together. The things you keep inside are the things you wall me out of. I can't help unless you let me in. But, if you do let me in, I promise I will help.

Try me, trust me, I am here for you.

The BIG mistake...

My prayer:

Awesome God. I need you. I need your help. Guide me, direct me, help me to see, do and follow what you have for me. Without your help, I am likely to mess everything up.

What God Said Tonight:

My grace is sufficient for you my child. I have grace enough to cover you and every mistake you could ever make.

I will guide you. I will help you. I will give you the knowledge and understanding you need. However, when you get it wrong, my grace is sufficient.

I died so that your mistakes are not held against you. I died so that you are covered.

Do your best, listen to my guidance, but know that when it doesn't go well, when you make that big mistake, and everyone does, my grace covers you.

I love you now and forever my child.

Good Friday...

My prayer:

Thank you Jesus for your willingness. It kind of hit me tonight in a way it never has before. Not only did you die for us, but you did it so willingly.

You knew the torture you were going to experience and you walked into it willingly. You knew how messed up we were and you and you died, willingly, anyway. You knew they were going to torture, humiliate and do everything they could to discredit you and you went willingly.

Thank you seems so paltry but it is the only words I have.

What God Said Tonight:

I struggled. Remember I was also a man and part of me was filled with dread at the coming pain and torture. I  struggled with it so hard that I sweat blood.

But, when my Father said go, I knew it was my purpose and my destiny to go. I knew that was what love would do.

I have no regrets. I willingly obeyed my Father for your sake and I am grateful that I did. It means we get to know each other now and forever. I get to be brother and savior to man and that is a truly wonderful thing.

I love you. I did it for you. It wasn't easy. Nothing worth so much could ever be easy. I love you.