Take hope in the knowledge that you are cherished by the One who made you—you are sheltered in the shadow of His wing, close to His heart. It is my prayer that as we get to know one another you, too, will see beyond the veil and will learn to say, “Even so, I walk in the Presence of the Lord”
With joy,
Nan
You Refresh my Soul and Replenish My Sorrow with Joy, Lord
Father, Your great love enfolds me, wrapping me in the warmth of Your abiding presence. I’m so grateful for the touch of Your hand. You refresh my soul when I am weary, and You replenish — restore — my sorrow with joy.
Great is your faithfulness, O Lord! My hope is in You, therefore, I find my peace in You … You comfort and refresh me. Blessed be Your Name.
The Awakening of the Dawn from Eternity’s Perspective
And the angels of the Lord cry holy … holy … holy is the Lord. Do you suppose the angels sing and rejoice with the awakening of each dawn? They, who are clothed in light and know no personal darkness, do they rejoice in the greatness of the Lord as they view the rising of the sun from eternity’s perspective?
And acknowledge Him?
As does creation?
Put on the Armor of God Daily … Please Help Me Lord
Father, You have made a way for me to stand strong in battle and be tenacious in my faith. You have provided the full armor of God to bring me victory, but it’s up to me to put it on daily. In this hour, I cannot be willy-nilly about this — putting on the full armor of God must become a daily discipline if I want to withstand the evil one.
You have given me the helmet of salvation to guard my mind and thoughts, to declare to the enemy and the world that I am in Your army bringing the kingdom of God to earth. What an honor … what a privilege. Yet, I have learned that acceptance of this call is like a welcome mat to the enemy, inviting spiritual warfare into most of my days.
Within the Storm Arched a Rainbow. God Was With Me
A thunderhead rolled across the mountain ridge. The sky slowly darkened like black ink spilling and oozing across blue paper. Torrents of rain pummeled the earth as lightning crashed with its electric fingers. This storm, though swift, was fierce, filling the mountainside with apprehension. As quickly as the storm came with its bite, it was gone. The wind subsided and torrents of rain became a refreshing shower. There, against the steel gray of the sky, peeking from behind lingering clouds, arched a rainbow.
I thought about the storm that had pummeled my life over the past few weeks. The darkness. The fear and angst.
Lord, I Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem
Father, as a believer in Jesus, my heart longs for Jerusalem, the city of the Living God. My heart aches for Your people, Israel. I will not keep silent, and I will not stop praying for the peace of Jerusalem. Surround her as a shield and deliver her from the fowler’s snare.
You, who keep Israel, neither slumber nor sleep. Remind Your precious people of this. Remind them that Your watchful eye is upon them.
The Song of a Bluebird, an Unlikely Friend in Praise
My song rang out loud and clear as I walked along the dirt road rambling across the mountain ridge. Sunlight warmed my shoulders. Praise warmed my heart. As I sang, I noticed the song of a bluebird, an unlikely friend on my walk, perched on a limb of the oak butted up against the road. I stopped to admire him.
When I stopped singing, he stopped singing. When I sang a note, he sang a note.
I Want to Love You, Lord, With All of My Heart
Father, when I consider the work of Your hands and the beauty of Your heart, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. Your love is amazing, Your power to handle the impossible is mind-boggling. And yet, this is all second nature to You because this is who You are. I want to love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength — with everything that I am.
But I don’t want my declaration of love to be mere rhetoric. I want to be consumed by You. I want to be overwhelmed with my love for You.
A Chorus of Birdsong Strengthened My Weary Soul
Their voices rose in a wave of praise, a celebration of the new day. Trills. Chirping. A melody rode along the chorus of birdsong coming from the lush greens of the apple tree. My feathered friends weren’t visible, but I recognized their praise.
Life had been hard. My soul grew weary from the relentless battles and my heart ached to hear from the Lord.
I’m in This World, Not of It. Help Me Be Like You Lord
Father, Your Kingdom is not of this world. It is built in the heavenly places far from the painful effects of sin and shame. Yet, here I am. This is not my home, I’m just passing through. I’m in this world, but I’m not of it because You have redeemed me and made me Your own.
Keep me from the evil one … and from myself! Goodness gracious. The more I want to be like You, the more I realize my self needs to be harnessed.