Psalm 107:20-21 “He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from destruction.  Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind.”

When I was a kid, I used to say that sticks and stones could break our bones but words would never hurt me.  People’s words are powerful.  They can build you up or tear you down.  They can bring forth feelings of love or feelings of hatred.  Our words are something to be used with care but they are nothing compared to the word of God.  We can speak of our hopes and desires, our plans and thoughts but when God speaks it is so.  From the beginning of time, when God spoke it happened.  He created everything from the stars in the sky and all the planets to the smallest flower petal with his words.  Since the time I began studying his word, I have seen transformation in my life beyond explanation.  He has guided, corrected, comforted and blessed me with his word.  He has brought healing and kept me from destruction.  I have seen this in so many lives and so today, I give thanks to the Lord for his steadfast love and his wonderful works to humankind.

Lord,

There is much sickness and destruction in this world.  When we suffer, often times we forget or do not realize we should call out to you.  Lift the voices of our souls to cry out to you for healing and restoration.  Thank you for the healing you bring through your steadfast love and grace.  Amen.

2 Thessalonians 3:16 “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways.  The Lord be with all of you.”

In my prayer time this morning it seems that peace was my overriding request above all other things.  There are people battling sickness and disease, others seeking protection or guidance for certain things in their lives.  Sometimes I am so busy telling God what I think He needs to do for someone I forget for a moment that He knows what needs to be done, not me.  At the end of each of Paul’s letters, he has a closing or a benediction.  It is easy for me to just gloss over those verses and move on to the next thing but today I pause.  No matter what else Paul has said in his letters, when all is said and done, he wishes grace and peace on the church people he was writing to.  How would that change our days if our exchanges with others ended with a benediction of grace and peace?  If there is a person you are not looking forward to conversing with, would it help if you see them in this light of bestowing God’s peace on them in all times and in all ways?

This is my prayer for each of you this morning.  I pray that God will fill you with his peace and that you will feel the presence of his grace abiding in you today.

Lord,

Thank you for opening my eyes to see this little verse tucked in at the end.  There is nothing this world needs more than your peace.  Be with each of us today and let your peace flow through us and out into the world around us.  Amen.

Matthew 19:26 “But Jesus looked at them and said, ‘For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible.’”

I had a picture in my mind as I meditated on this verse.  I was a record, an LP.  If you don’t remember those, ask someone a generation older than you to explain them to you.  The needle started playing on the outside edge and as it moved in, there was a scratch on the vinyl.  The needle would jump back and start again only to find the scratch again and again.  The needle was not able to go past the scratch until it was manually picked up and guided to a new spot on the record.  When I was young, we had a record player and records.  If there was a scratch too deep, we simply had to throw out the record, it was no good.  When I look at me as a record, I am filled with scratches.  If I were left to my own resources I know I would be no good and would need to be thrown away as trash.  This verse gives me hope.  Humans cannot repair a scratch too deep on the vinyl but with God, all things are possible.  He can pick up the needle and move it but He can also repair and mend the scratches on the vinyl until they are made new.  Let our days be filled with music and trust in the Lord that if there is a skip, He will be faithful to us in repairing it so the music goes on uninterrupted.

Lord,

You know our hearts beyond what we know of our hearts.  Thank you for stepping in and not leaving us to our own devices.  Give us the courage to call on you for help and to trust in you to keep the music going as you designed.  Amen.

John 9:33 “If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”

This verse comes from a passage where the Pharisees are investigating a healing that Jesus gave.  The man had been blind from birth and Jesus gave him sight on the Sabbath day. This got the Pharisees all upset.  Jesus did not fall into their rules and procedures.  He broke the mold on so many levels and that made some of the people very uncomfortable.  Sometimes we get so wrapped up in keep things as we think they should be that we lose sight of the truth.  We cling to our rules, our precepts and our laws as if our very lives depend on it.  Jesus did not conform to human laws and neither does God.  If we trust in that truth, we are able to let go of our man made rules and be free in His truth.  God will enable us to accomplish whatever He calls us to do.  His holy power healed the blind man and His power will guide you in the tasks He has planned for you when he time is right.  We are all called to live in Love, to love God and love each other as he loves us.  Whatever else we do, this is the law of God.  Living under this law allows us to do whatever we do to the glory of God.

Lord,

Give us sight to see your truth.  Help us set down our chains that bind us, whatever they may be.  Guide our steps into freedom granted through your unending love and help us to live under the law your love this day and all days so we can do what you call us to do.  Amen.

Luke 22:61-62 “The Lord turned and looked at Peter.  Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him ‘Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.’ And he went out and wept bitterly.”

I guess Peter was probably scared.  He had just been with Jesus in the garden praying after supper and now Jesus was under arrest and being questioned.  At supper Jesus told Peter he would deny him and Peter didn't believe him.  Now during the questioning, three different people gave Peter the opportunity to fess up that he was a follower of Jesus.  All it took was one look from his Lord at the sound of the crowing and Peter woke to the realization that he had denied the Lord; he denied that he was with him three times.  There are all kinds of justification I can come up with for Peter.  He didn't see any reason to be arrested.  Someone needed to stay outside of the circle to observe and tell others what happened.  How often do we try to justify our action or inaction?  How often, without really trying, do we deny Jesus in our daily lives?  When we wake up and realize the Lord is looking at us, we are blessed to know he looks in love and forgiveness.

Lord,

When the bitter tears of condemnation fall, wipe them away with your forgiveness and mercy.  When we fall away and turn our backs, call to us and open our ears to hear you.  Cleanse our souls with your precious blood so we are able to go forward again, new creations abiding in your love.  Amen.

Psalm 89:17-18 “For you are the glory of their strength; by your favor our horn is exalted.  For our shield belongs to the Lord...”

I am nothing without God.  I am a speck of dust; a withering leaf blowing in the wind and then gone.  As I sat in mediation I acknowledged to God that all I accomplish, anything I say or do that is right, belongs to Him.  It is his protection and guidance that allow me to honor him instead of disgracing him.  Without his Spirit, I would be lost beyond recognition.  I am a vessel to be filled and used for His kingdom.  He lovingly created me knowing each and every part of me.  I am His creation, His child, and because of this I seek to please Him.  I can only step forward in hope because I know that He is faithful; He is my strength and my shield.  I take hold of the hand of God and He pulls me to my feet.  I lift my hands and heart in praise and adoration of the Almighty, my Rock and my Redeemer.  He created each of us in love and He will give us what we need to serve Him.  Call on His name and step into your day with the comfort of His Spirit leading the way.

Lord,

Pour your grace into every crevice of my soul.  As it seeps in and brings healing and restoration, strengthen my spirit with yours.  Thank you for your continued guidance and love through every moment.  Thank you for protecting me from so many unknown attacks.  I lift your name on high and praise you on this glorious new day.  Amen.

Acts 5:19-20 “But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors brought them out, and said, ‘Go, stand in the temple and tell the people the whole message about this life.’’’

What an amazing experience!  Imagine being locked up in prison and then, right in front of the prison guards the doors open and you are set free.  As you walk out in amazement you are told to go out and tell the story...  This passage in the book of Acts tells about Peter and the apostles being arrested and imprisoned for sharing the gospel story of Jesus.  The Sadducees were jealous of the healing the apostles were providing through God and the people they were converting with their story.  The thing is if you believe the gospel truth, you have shared this amazing experience.  God frees each of us from our prison of sin when we confess to Him and turn away.  Often times we are released from our prison only to sit there in the darkness unwilling to go out as we have been directed.  Just as God sent Jesus to lead us into abiding Love, he sends his Spirit to guide us out of the prison we are in and into the break of day to share our story of freedom.  Wherever you are and whatever chains bind you, call on the Lord, accept and revel in the freedom he provides.  Celebrate and tell the message of this amazing experience!

Lord,

You have set us all free; I sing praises and songs of thanksgiving to you for that blessed truth!  Help us step out in courage and faith, sharing your freedom with all!  Amen.