Life is like baking...

My prayer:

Ok, we made it. Friday night! There were definitely times this week that I was not sure that I would be here, with you, in one piece on Friday night but I made it!

Thank you for giving me strength I did not have. Thank you for giving me peace when I was stressed. Thank you for giving me patience when I needed it. And, thank you for giving me the humility to ask for forgiveness, that I needed.

Love you Daddy!

What God Said Tonight:

Life is a bit like baking. You work really hard to carefully measure and include all of the right ingredients. you time things out the best that you can. And, even when you get everything right, it sometimes comes out very different from what you planned.

The thing is, the opposite is true too. Sometimes when you get everything wrong, it can all come together into something really wonderful.

I am the one who gets to decide your future and the favor on your life. I get to take whatever life throws at you and however you respond and turn it all for your good. I get to determine your success.

Follow my lead and you will always see the win in the end.

Don't give up...

My prayer:

I am too tired to talk tonight God but never too tired to listen. What is on your mind?

What God Said Tonight:

 Don't give up. I have so much more for you in this life than what you have seen.

When the going gets rough, remember that this will not last. Remember that I am with you. Remember that there is no battle, no obstacle, no enemy who is greater than I am and I will not see you defeated.

Wake up tomorrow with a renewed sense of purpose. You will see so many more great things in your lifetime I love you.

Death, life, loss and gain...

My prayer:

It seems like I was surrounded with people who very recently lost someone close to them. Some had the assurance that their loved ones were with you in heaven. Some did not. All of them were hurting.

God I pray for your comfort, peace and healing to wrap around my friends suffering loss tonight. I pray that your love envelop and heal them. I pray for your restoration in their lives. I thank you that with you, we have a hope that survives death.

What God Said Tonight:

Life is precious. It is valuable beyond measure. As my child, you have an eternity  with me. We have forever together. When we look back, in the later days, we will cherish this time together while you are alive on earth.

That being said,what I have for you after this life is over, is pretty amazing as well. Those you  have lost, who have gone before you, don't worry about them. I am taking great care of them. I am shepherding them through this place called eternal life.

I love you sweet daughter. Feel my restoration power in your life.

Stress rescue...

My prayer:

God, I pray for help handling the stress better tomorrow than I did today. I let it get to me. I reacted poorly. I am embarrassed that I reacted so poorly. I am sorry that I reacted so poorly.

Please help me to do better tomorrow. Please help me to have better perspective. Please give me peace in the midst of the pressure. Thank you Jesus.

What God Said Tonight:

I noticed only one thing. In the middle of the stress and the pressure today, you did not turn to me. You did not call out for help.

You know that I always come when you call. You know that if you will turn to me in those times, I always help. I am glad that you have come tonight, now that you have had time to reflect. And, I will help you. The best help though is when you call out in the middle of it. See if I won't show up, right then and there, and take care of you. I promise I will.

When the  pressure hits, look up. When the stress comes barreling down, think first of me and I will come to your rescue.

I am yours and you are mine forever my love. 

Peace and conflict...

My prayer:

Mighty God. I pray for guidance and peace tonight. My thoughts and emotions are all over the place. The things I want to do and say do not seem like the smart or the right things to do and say. Help me God to see and do your will in this and all things.

What God Said Tonight:

Five minutes of conflict can  create a lifetime of peace. Do not shy away from conflict if it is necessary. I do not avoid  conflict. I  create peace, but, I fight when it is time to fight. I fight when the wrong that is being done must be stopped.

I have put in you the love, the strength and the peace that you need. I will guide you as I always do. I will speak to you. Don't worry about planning it out. When the time is right, I will give you the words. When the moment has come, I will guide your actions.

Live in the peace that I will show what to do and when to do it for the best good for you and those around you. You and your joy, growth and happiness are a big priority for me. I love you daughter. I have not left you alone, even in this.

This is not a drill...

My prayer:

I am not in much of a talking mood tonight God. Maybe I should just listen...

What God Said Tonight:

I am a burning fire that takes out everything that does not belong and empowers everything that does. I am a fire that destroys evil and restores goodness. I am a fire that burns in your heart and gives you purpose. I am a fire that never goes out.

This, now, is not a fire drill. This is the real thing. Either get in my protection or get out because if you stay unprotected in the fire, you will burn. I am here, but you will need to hurry. The time is short.

The journey...

My prayer:

Thank you God for your favor and for your blessing on my life. Today was a great day of completion. I should be happier about it but I kind of feel a bit numb. I thought when this day came, I would feel great relief. I don't really.

I find that is true of a lot of things in my life that I look forward to for a long time. Once they arrive, they are not nearly as exciting as I expected. Is that just me God? Am I missing out on something? And, if I am, can you help me change that?

I love you God and regardless of whether I feel it, I know in my head and my heart that I was tremendously blessed today and it is all because of you. Thank you.

What God Said Tonight:

Completion of a thing, good or bad, may be the goal but it is less important than the journey to get to it. Especially with those things that take time and patience, there is more in the time getting there than there is in the arrival.

I have taught you many things about trust and about provision in the last fifteen years. Those things are what matter and those things are what got you to today. Celebrate the learning, the growth, the love we have. Those are the real things worth celebrating.

I will always have a new goal for you. I will always have a bright horizon for you to aim for.  Celebrate the road there, along the way.