I Timothy 6:6-8 Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.

How easy it is, Lord, to begin to worry that Your provision is not sufficient and that I need what You have provided to another. When will I learn that my feeble attempts to provide for myself pale into total insignificance when compared to the generosity of Your love as You insure that all my needs are met.

Deuteronomy 10:12-13 "And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I am commanding you today for your good?

For my own good? Does this mean, Lord, that goodness accrues to me as I learn to fear and obey You? Does this mean that Your promises such as an easy yoke and a light burden are the results of walking in Your ways? Loving You? Serving You? Dedicating all my heart and soul to You. Thank You and praise You, my Lord and Master.

Lord, how easy it is for me to get caught up in worthless things, not just stuff but pursuits, thoughts, activities, talking; all coming together as worthless living. Not necessarily dishonoring to Your name, but unproductive without purpose or benefit. I need to be sensitive to the nudgings of the Holy Spirit and I need the intervention of the Holy Spirit to have that sensitivity. Lord, I want to cry -- Make me obey!, but I know You will not do this. Lord, I need to love Your ways above all other ways, above all other pursuits, above all else. Fill my heart with a longing for You.

Now why would I bow down to something I had made with my own hands? Surely I would not be that foolish! Or would I? Would I put my career before God; would I trust in the sufficiency of my retirement income before trusting in the provision of God? Would I look to my coworkers and superiors for guidance about the proper standards of my work rather than doing everything as unto the Lord? Nah, not me! Or do I? Lord, reveal those shortcomings in my life where I do not seek You and Your righteousness first but seek the approbation of idols.

Keep Me before you!

With all your heart!
With all your soul!
With all your mind!
With all your strength!
Focus on My Glory!

You are the One who created me, who knew me before I was in my mother's womb and who knows the number of my days; You are the One who was obedient unto death even the death of the cross so that I would have life; You are the one who lovingly and gently shepherds me in Kingdom living so that I may know the fullness of the righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Oh, Lord, to pray in this Psalm is one continuous outburst of praise and thanksgiving. What a glorious recounting of the riches of Your presence. To acknowledge Your steadfast love and faithfulness with gladness in my heart, singing in my voice and thanksgiving in my soul; to bless Your Name before all and to all -- this is true joy -- this is what I was created for.

Lord, I need help to discern when my lack of a response is a silence of wisdom or a silence of cowardliness. For it is not only knowing what to speak, but to know when to speak and when to be silent. Lord, when I trust in my own wisdom, I get it dead wrong; when I am obedient to Your leading, it is life giving.

Psalm 119:46-47

I will also speak of Your testimonies before kings and shall not be put to shame, for I find my delight in Your commandments, which I love.

Lord, I lift up the upcoming family reunion and especially for next Lord's Day morning when I am being called to speak to the family of Your great love. Give me the words to speak, and the courage to stand before my brothers and sisters, children and grandchildren, nephews and nieces to present Your testimonies. I take this verse as a promise and as a word to speak from.

Exodus 20:1-2, 7

And God spoke all these words, saying, "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. ... "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.

for you are My child.
Use it to bring purpose
and Shalom into life.
The praise of My Name,
a sword in your mouth.

Psalm 101:1
A Psalm of David. I will sing of steadfast love and justice; to You, O LORD, I will make music.

What a way to start, continue and end a day, singing of Your steadfast love, Your justice, Your mercy, Your grace, Your righteousness, Your goodness to the sons of man. O that Your praise would ever be in my mouth, a two edged sword in my hand.

Psalm 101:2
I will ponder the way that is blameless. Oh when will You come to me? I will walk with integrity of heart within my house;

Lord, this is a tall order, if it were to be done in my own strength and wisdom. But I have Yours; I have Your Holy Spirit imbued within me to be my guide and mentor; I cannot fail if I listen and obey.

Therefore, reveal to me those things, beliefs and actions in my life that are worthless; that do not reflect Your glory and tarnish Your name. Replace that dross with the beauty of Your way and fill my heart with Your integrity that my walk in those places where You have set my feet, will be to Your glory.