Time

There is an appointed time for everything.  And there is a time for every event under heaven--
A time to give birth and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.  A time to kill and a time to heal; A time to tear down and a time to build up.  A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance.  A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing.  A time to search and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep and a time to throw away.  A time to tear apart and a time to sew together; A time to be silent and a time to speak.  A time to love and a time to hate; A time for war and a time for peace.  Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

This time of year can be tough for so many.  For the divorced person who's life-as-they-knew-it was ripped apart.  For the family who lost a member.  For moms who lost their babies before they got to see them grow up.  For people who aren't on speaking terms with family or friends.  Or many, many other reasons.  But, we need to remember that there is a time for everything.  Life is a big cycle of ups and downs, gains and losses.  For everyone that struggles with a loss during this time of year, there is someone who is starting celebrations of their own.  New marriages, new families, reunions, reconciliations.  There is always, somewhere in the midst of it all, something to be thankful for and Someone to hope in.  I pray that through the bustle of this time of year, that you would remember the baby that was born in a manger, that grew up knowing that His purpose in life was to die in a horrible way, so that we all might be able to have a daily relationship with God the Father.  I also pray that you and yours would be blessed beyond your wildest imagination and that you would take the time to help make the holidays a little easier and brighter for someone you know.  How can you be Jesus' hands and feet, all December long, to share His love with all you come in contact with?  Who do you know that would greatly benefit from a phone call, a card in the mail, an offer to help with groceries, etc, etc, etc?  There is a time for everything under the sun.  It all comes back around.  What are you doing with your time?

Do not be afraid!

But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid."  Matthew 14:27

This is a great reminder for me.  I forget sometimes that I am walking this life WITH the creator of the universe, the One and Only True God.  He is right by my side, helping me every step of the way.  He has already created the path for me to take, and enabled me to take each step as He asks me to do so.  Everything that I will ever need, He has already provided for me.  There is NO need to fear.  He has already won the victory and life is too short to waste time on fear!  Nothing that ever happens will remove the complete security I have in Him.  Nothing!
What can you do today to put your full trust in Him and to fear not?

Strong in Him

O love the Lord, all you His godly ones!  The Lord preserves the faithful and fully recompenses the proud doer.  Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the Lord.  Psalm 31:23-24

Today my prayer for you is that you would love the Lord your God with all of your being and that it would impact the way that others see you.  That your growth in Him would be easily visible to all those around you.  That you would know that He is working on your behalf and preserving you as you faithfully walk with Him.  That you would not get discouraged when the way gets hard, but that you would choose to learn though those times and lean on Him for all things, and that your reward will be great in Heaven as you follow His will for you.  I pray that you would be STRONG in the Lord, that you would have the courage to do all that He asks of you the first time, and that all of your hope would be in Him.  This is my prayer for you.

Established

Establish Your word and confirm Your promise to Your servant, which is for those who reverently fear and devotedly worship You.  Psalm 119:38

Today my prayer for you is that you would know the reality that is God's promises for you.  That you would completely realize that if He said it, it will come to pass.  That He wants you to count on Him and His promises for you.  That He wants to make Scripture come alive in your life, and wants you to use Scripture to counter satan.  I pray that you would rest in the place where God has you and that you would establish yourself in His will for you and actively seek His word for your life.  That you would utilize the sharp, two-edged sword that is His Word.  I pray that your life would be worship to Him.  This is my prayer for you.

Pleasure

The Lord takes pleasure in those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy and loving-kindness.  Psalm 147:11

My prayer for you today is that you would know that the God of the universe takes pleasure in you.  Not only does He take pleasure in you, for you, but he also takes pleasure in your worship of Him, and when you hope in Him alone.  I pray that you may see Him all around you and that you would choose to hope in Him and expectantly watch for His evidence of being with you.  This is my prayer for you!

With my whole heart

How shall a young man cleanse his way?  By taking heed and keeping watch [on himself] according to Your word [conforming his life to it].  With my whole heart have I sought You, inquiring for and of You and yearning for You; Oh, let me not wander or step aside (either in ignorance or willfully) from Your commandments.  Ps 119:9-10

Today my prayer for you is that you would be seeking God with your whole heart, all of your being.  That you would take heed and keep watch to see that you are living all-out for God.  That you would seek Him, first, and that what He says to you would be followed and obeyed!  I pray that you would seek, inquire, and yearn for our Lord and Savior.  I know that He will meet you right where you are and that He longs to have an intimate relationship with you.  I pray that you would not wander off the path that He has for you and that in all things, your life would reflect your love for Him.  This is my prayer for you.

satisfies the soul

Oh, that men would praise [and confess to] the Lord for His goodness and loving-kindness and His wonderful works to the children of men!  For He satisfies the longing soul and fills the hungry soul with good.  Psalm 107:8-9

Today my prayer for you is that you would lift your voice and heart in praise to the God who loves you more than you will ever be able to truly understand, this side of heaven.  That you would freely run to Him and confess to Him, all of your days.  That you would make Him the priority in your life and live sold-out for Him.  I pray that as you seek Him (and He WILL be found by you) that you receive the soul-satisfaction that only He can provide.  That He will fill your hungry soul with so much of Him that you overflow goodness and mercy and His loving-kindness to all people you come across.  I pray that you would fully seek Him as He is fully seeking you.  That you would know how very much He longs to have relationship with you.  This is my prayer for you!