“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)

Lord, may I never forget thereason for my hope and joy, the reason for doing good.  It is in you.  It is in you that there is good.  Only you are good.  It is not my actions that do good, but your working in me that produces the truly good fruit.

Your working in me will produce a harvest.  That much is certain.  May I not rest on my own certainty which is weak; but in you and your goodness which is the only good and certain thing.  May I rely on you Lord; and you will produce fruit in me.

“Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.” (Provebs 28:19)

Father, may I till and dig up the land of my being that I might bear an abundant crop in my life.  May this crop by yours; producing the fruit you desire in my life.  May the land in my life be willing to give of itself to feed and nourish the crop; removing the stones and other hinderances that prevent the crop from flourishing.  I need to always be open to your working in my life, not being incalcitrant to the prompting of your instruction for me.

Imposing my own will and desires on your leanings; standing firm in my own conviction and not learning from your instrcution will gain me nothing.  I need to listen, hear, and act on your working in my life.

Father, help me to better know and undertsnad your action and presence in my life.  May I be ever receptive to the tilling and planting of your crops in my life.  May I remain ever focused on you and your workings, not my own fabrications or justification for the things I desire.

^“As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him—  you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:4-5)

“…the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.” (Isaiah 28:16)

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9)

Lord, it is in choosing you that we consciously walk away from the ways of the world.  The ways of the worls are what we know and what we are comfortable with.  It is in that very thing that you are calling me out of my comfort and security; stepping in faith towards you.  In that decision, that choice, that you are shaping my spiritual being.  I can, though, rest in comfort knowing that you are with me and I will never be put to shame.  I can rest in the certainty of your undying love of me and for me.  You have formed me into one of your chosen, you have set me apart; belonging to you.  And what do you ask of me?  To declare your praises because you have moved me from the darkness of my sin to the light of your undying love and grace.

You are most gracious and merciful.  You are wonderful.  Thanks you for all you have done and continue to do in and through my life.  I am grateful for that and appreciative of your presence and action in my life.

Jesus Christ, you are the very likeness and image of the invisible God.  All things are created by  you and for you.  You are before and over all things.  You are the beginning; the first to overcome death.  You have Lordship over all things.  You are the very essence and fullness of God.

I am made righteous through your body; being made holy and without imperfection or recourse.  You have made me righteous before God.

Who am I Lord that you have done such a wonderful thing for me?  You have made me rightwous in my sin.  That is exactly the point; it is in your action throughyour saving grace that you have made me whole.  It has nothing to do with my own efforts and doing.  There is nothing I can do to earn my righteousness.

“Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham.  Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”  So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.” (Galatians 3:7-9) 

“Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips.  So that your trust may be in the LORD, I teach you today, even you.” (Proverbs 22: 17-19)

 “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the LORD.  “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts.  I will be their God, and they will be my people.”  (Jeremiah 31:33)

Father, may I remain open to and pay attention to your instruction for me.  You teach me this day and you teach me this always.  You have written your word upon my heart that I might know you like no other.  Your presence and way is known to me.  You are my God and I am yours.

Father, may my heart remain receptive and open to your working in my life.  I pray that my heart may not become hardened through the ways of the world.  It is through you that truth and wisdom is revealed.  Your love and faithfulness is revealed through your presence in my life.  I am so grateful for your active involvement in my life and your transforming power over my being.  I pray that I may trust you with my whole heart; being transformed by your Holy Spirit and not by the ways of the world.

 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.  Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:1-2)

CRR

1/8/2012

“Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips.  So that your trust may be in the LORD, I teach you today, even you.” (Proverbs 22: 17-19)

 “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the LORD.  “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts.  I will be their God, and they will be my people.”  (Jeremiah 31:33)

Father, may I remain open to and pay attention to your instruction for me.  You teach me this day and you teach me this always.  You have written your word upon my heart that I might know you like no other.  Your presence and way is known to me.  You are my God and I am yours.

Father, may my heart remain receptive and open to your working in my life.  I pray that my heart may not become hardened through the ways of the world.  It is through you that truth and wisdom is revealed.  Your love and faithfulness is revealed through your presence in my life.  I am so grateful for your active involvement in my life and your transforming power over my being.  I pray that I may trust you with my whole heart; being transformed by your Holy Spirit and not by the ways of the world.

 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.  Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:1-2)

CRR

1/8/2012

“Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips.  So that your trust may be in the LORD, I teach you today, even you.” (Proverbs 22: 17-19)

 “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the LORD.  “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts.  I will be their God, and they will be my people.”  (Jeremiah 31:33)

Father, may I remain open to and pay attention to your instruction for me.  You teach me this day and you teach me this always.  You have written your word upon my heart that I might know you like no other.  Your presence and way is known to me.  You are my God and I am yours.

Father, may my heart remain receptive and open to your working in my life.  I pray that my heart may not become hardened through the ways of the world.  It is through you that truth and wisdom is revealed.  Your love and faithfulness is revealed through your presence in my life.  I am so grateful for your active involvement in my life and your transforming power over my being.  I pray that I may trust you with my whole heart; being transformed by your Holy Spirit and not by the ways of the world.

 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.  Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:1-2)

CRR

1/8/2012

” It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High. To proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night.” (Pslam 92:1, 2)

Lord, how does anyone truely proclaim your love in the morning and your fiathfulness at night?  It is how my life is lived every minute of every day.  My life is in response to your love and faithfulness.  You have extended your undying love and our limitless faithfulness; how can I help but respond to the gift of grace you have extended to me.  How I engage my day is my response to you and your love and faithfulness that is ever present in my life throughout my day.  In the details of the big and little, the important and the  mundane, you are with me and present in every aspect of my life.

Through your love I am assured to your action in the day to come.  Through reflection at the end of each day, your great faithfulness is seen throughout the day; sustaining me at every moment.

I pray that I may be ever aware of your presence and how you are working in my life.  May your presence be known to me and may I respond in a way that is music to your name, O Most High.

CRR

1/7/12

“All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart.  To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.” (Proverbs 21:2, 3)

Lord, I dare not trust in my own ways and my own ways and my own judgement.  It is you who know the true depth of my heart and desire.  I cannot even trust myself and my ways.  It is only you who knows me and what is best for me.

It is my response to you that I can of my own free will be open to your leading in my life.  Being open to your leading is most pleasing in your sight.

“He who pursues righteousness and love finds love, prosperity, and honor.” (Proverbs 21:21)

CRR

1/6/12

Ears that hear and eyes that see – the Lord has made them both.  A man’s steps are directed by the Lord.  How can anyone understand his won way? (Proverbs 20: 12, 24)

Lord, you arre the one who directs my ways.  You show me what it is and how I should go.  You have also given me that ability to know and understand that direction for my life.  It is through hearing and seeing that I am able to expericne your involvement in my lifw.  My seeing and hearing is the only way your word and action in mhy life is made known to me.  I do not and cannot hope to know my own way; it is you who direct my steps.

CRR

1/5/12