Graciousness
Category: Christian Living
Where is Your Trust
I like the way this verse is worded. A person is blessed by trusting in the Lord. The second part catches me. Blessed is the person “whose trust is the Lord.” God needs to be the object of our trust. Too often we trust more in people than in the Lord. God uses people in our world – in our lives. However, God is the only one Who is truly good. He is the One in full control. I am so thankful.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for being a perfect object of our trust. Please help us as we interact with one another. Please guide our trust to You and away from people. We need to hold tight to You and show others how to do that as well.
I pray this in Jesus’ name.
God is so good.
Rejoice in Love
Stand Firm in Love
These verses are short and simple…to read. Being watchful and standing firm require continued effort. This isn’t a simple one and done. The other challenge is doing everything in love. We can get a mixed up understanding of what love really is. Too often we want love to be happy-go-lucky. Sometimes love is living through pain. Sometimes love seems tough when we have to stand against wrong. That requires lots of being watchful and standing firm.
The one thing I can say, is that if God gives a command, He also gives the strength to obey. God will not fail us.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us the instructions we need to live. Please help us to discern through watchfulness, stand firm, and act in love.
I pray this in Jesus’ name.
God is so good.
Seek Continually
This verse is in the middle of a song of thanks from King David. He is praising God for many things. I like this verse in the middle of the first stanza. We need to seek God. Spend time in His presence. Seeking God provides strength and reminds us of the many things we can be thankful for.
We have a command. God gives strength to obey it.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are available for us. Please help us to seek You continually. We need You.
I pray this in Jesus’ name.
God is so good.
Rock of Refuge
Humility and Exaltation
Humbling ourselves is not an easy thing to do. We have to realize our self importance isn’t really that important. However, when we do humble ourselves, God tells us the He will exalt us – at the proper time. Sounds like waiting to me. God doesn’t promise to give us what we want, when we want it. God promises to help us with our cares. Because He cares. That is a powerful message.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the advice You give in Your Word. Thank You for the joys You have planned for our future. Please help us as we wait. I praise You for Your care.
I pray this in Jesus’ name.
God is so good.
Sorrow to Joy
Hope in Remembering
I have said it so many times – we live in tough times. It can be hard to have hope. However, this passage tells us what to remember that brings hope. God’s faithfulness brings mercies over and over again. God’s mercies help us in the tough times. His mercies remind us that this life isn’t the end. God has prepared a wonderful eternity for those who trust in His Son, Jesus Christ. I don’t know what all God’s mercies will be in each of our lives, but I look forward to seeing what God will do.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your mercies. Thank You for the hope You give when we remember Your mercy. Please give us the eyes to see and the remembrance that brings hope. We need help.
I pray this in Jesus’ name.
God is so good.
Pray, Pray, and Pray Some More
I hope more and more people learn the value of prayer. I have used this verse in my blog post 3 times since last fall. We all need help on a regular basis. I wonder how different life would be if we spent more time in prayer. James 4 tells us a little bit. I want to continue to spend time pleading with God in prayer and learning more about what He will do.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of prayer. Please help us to spend more time humbly seeking Your help. I ask for the grace and mercy that You promise.
I pray this in Jesus’ name.
God is so good.
Pleading in Prayer 