Psalm 25:1 “To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.”

As we quickly move into the holiday season people are feeling a wide range of emotions.  Joyful and loved, happy and excited, sad and lonely, broken and discouraged, stressed and hurt, peaceful and calm; all these feelings fill our hearts and the hearts of people all around us.  This morning I pray for each of you that you would lift up your soul to the Lord.  If you are joyful and happy, lift your soul to Him.  If you are sad or lonely lift your soul to Him.  In your stress and hurt lift your soul to the Lord.  In your peace and calm, lift your soul to our Lord.  Whatever you are feeling, whatever your circumstances, where ever you are, lift your soul to the Lord.  He will meet you in any place and any time.  As I sit here writing with the “thousand” items I need to get done running in the background of my mind, I keep repeating this verse to my heart.  This season of decorating and baking, teaching and ringing bells,all this and more brings a busy time that threatens to overwhelm me.  I will make this verse my mantra for this season, and maybe beyond that.  He will give me whatever I need whenever I lift my soul to Him.  Just knowing and believing in that brings much relief to me.

Lord,

I lift my soul to you and ask that you would give me strength so that I continue to lift my soul to you.  You meet me wherever I am and you know what I need most.  Be with those who are struggling so much right now and help them lift their souls to you to receive your blessings too.  Amen.

Psalm 25:5 “Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long.”

What is truth?  A saying comes to mind when I ask this question; perception is reality.  Is truth a matter of fact or belief?  People like to believe they know the truth and most seek to find the truth.  There is a problem with this if we seek with our eyes and hands, only using our human minds.  We are so easily deceived that what we want to believe can easily seem to be truth to us.  If we search for truth with our hearts and souls we are more likely to find the voice of God.  If we seek His truth, the truth of the One, the Creator and Ruler of the Universe, we will find real truth.  He will teach us because He created and loves us.  He is our salvation; He will not turn from us when we seek Him.  As I sat in my quiet time this morning giving thanks for all the blessings in my life and lifting prayers for blessings to be sent to others I know and love I felt the love of God deep in my soul.  His word is His truth.  Seek Him, follow Him and live for Him as He lived and died for you.  Love as He loves.  In this, we will see his truth unfold before our very eyes.

Lord,

We lift our hearts in praise and thanksgiving this morning.  Even when we do not see the abundance you have given us it is still true, we live in abundance.  As we seek your guidance, lead us in the path of your truth; Love, divine love.  Give us generous hearts to share your love and blessings with all those around us so we can all praise your holy name.  Amen.

John 6:27 “Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.  For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.”

Today the church I belong to is saying good bye to our current pastor and we begin a phase of transition once more.  After church we will have a big potluck luncheon to celebrate the blessing of his presence with us and send him on with the knowledge that he brought many gifts to us in his time with us.  There seems to always be food involved whenever there is a gathering for church.  We will bring pies next Wednesday to our Thanksgiving vesper service and I am sure when we decorate the church a few days after that there will be food then too.  More important than the food we bring to nourish our bodies and delight our taste buds is the food we receive from the fellowship and love we share with each other.  The love of God flows easily among this crowd of believers and with this love, we also find it in our hearts to love one another.  This eternal food, God's divine love will nourish us if we will receive it from Him.  Take time today to learn more about the life and teachings of the Son of Man.  Taste a bite of his delightful eternal food.  I will look for you at the feast!

Lord,

Thank you for teachers that guide us in your words and your teachings.  Help us take that food into our souls and remember that it all comes from you, the Holy One; the one true God.  As we eat today, feed our souls even more.  Amen.

Isaiah 43:15-16 “I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.  Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters.”

We are quickly coming upon a season filled with wonder and joy.  It can also be filled with activity and busy times that begin to overwhelm and drag us down.  The stores have already decorated for the holidays; they waste no time at all in trying to get us into the Christmas spirit of giving.  As we step toward a national day of thanks let us quiet our hearts and search deeply for things we are truly thankful for.  Take time to sit quietly in thankfulness so that spirit may feed you during the hustle and bustle of the next weeks.  As we prepare for concerts and dinners, parties and guests, let us also prepare our hearts for the receiving of our Lord and King.  It is He that can make a way of dry land in the midst of the sea.  He can lead us calmly and peacefully through the season of rush and run.  As we get ready to step into the rushing waters of the holiday season, remember to keep hold of the hand of our Lord.  He will make our path straight and true to the stable where we can sit in the presence of our Redeemer once again.

Lord,

It is easy to let the waters of the season simply run over us and pulls us down into danger of drowning.  Help us keep our eyes and hearts focused on thanking you and preparing for your most precious gift.  As we move into the holidays, help us remember the holidays are truly Holy days.  Amen.

Psalm 78:52-53 “Then he led out his people like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.  He led them in safety, so that they were not afraid; but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.”

It is interesting to watch little kids as they learn to spread their wings and separate from their parents to a certain degree.  At first they are fearful but they learn to trust that their parents will be there.  They gain trust and then only occasionally do they run back to touch home base and reassure themselves of that protection and safety.  Sheep are even more trusting with their shepherd.  They put complete trust in their shepherd.  They know the call he makes and will come when they hear him calling.  They call to him in earnest when they come into any kind of trouble and keep calling, knowing he will come to their rescue.  God is our shepherd and as he did so long ago he will keep us in the safety of his love, guiding our every step if we will listen.  He leads us in safety and whenever danger comes his power will overwhelm that enemy like the sea washing over the Egyptian armies long ago.  Trust in the Lord to guide you, listen for his voice and follow as an obedient child, like a sheep to his shepherd; He will keep you safe.

Lord,

Thank you for your protection and your guidance.  Help us to hear you and trust in your voice so we are not led astray.  Wipe away our enemy of darkness so we can shine in your glory and step forth faithfully into your kingdom.  Amen.

Matthew 5:17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.”

The laws can be frustrating and sometimes seem unnecessary.  Have you ever been sitting at a red light knowing you could turn right but the sign says you may not turn on red?  As a child I know there were “laws” my parents had that I just could not make sense of and it make them hard to follow.  I cannot imagine trying to keep over 600 laws for my religion, I can see how easy it would be to get so caught up in following the laws that I would forget to live.  This statement of Jesus seems odd.  He picked grain and healed people on the Sabbath.  He preached words that stung the leaders of the church.  What it really comes down to is this:  If we love God with everything we are and have, and we love our neighbors as ourselves we are following the teachings of Jesus and we are fulfilling the law.  The next time I am sitting at one of those intersections where the law just doesn’t make sense to me, I will try to remember this: I cannot see the reasons for the law but I cannot see everything.  Trust and obey, love God and love my neighbor.

Lord,

Thank you for sending Jesus to save us and to fulfill the law.  Help me live as he calls us to; in love.  May all I do and say reflect the love you have given to me onto those around me so that we are all shining in your love.  Amen. 

2 Timothy 1:7 “for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.”

Do I hide behind the mask of shyness?  As I was thinking about this verse and reviewing my days in search of cowardice I wondered how much I am shy and how much I am a coward.  I know I am an introvert so there is some truth in my lack of "outgoingness".  I also know there are times I do not step forward with my thoughts and feelings because I do not want to risk anything.  It is those times I feel I am being a coward.  The Lord guides us when we allow him to.  It is my spirit that is weak and cowardice but He has given us all a spirit beyond that human one.  The Holy Spirit that resides in us when we accept Him is the spirit of power and love and discipline.  This Spirit will guide our own into self-discipline and call us forth to be a person of power and love in the Lord, Jesus Christ.  There have been times when I have stepped out of my comfort zone and spoken my thoughts as I felt I should and the times I did that in love; it has always been a good thing.  Whether you are a very forthcoming person or a bit shy like me, let us all allow the spirit of power, love and self-discipline to guide our words and deeds so we may glorify God in all we do.

Lord,

Forgive my cowardice and my lack of trust.  When you nudge me, help me recognize it and listen to you.  Open my heart to allow your spirit to guide mine.  I want to live the life you call me to; I want to walk the path you have for me.  Amen.