I am a child of God! Psalm 82:6 “I am a child of God; my Heavenly Father loves me.”

I am loved by God. Romans 5:8 “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

I am never alone. Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

I am a winner. Luke 18:27 “But he said, ‘What is impossible with man is possible with God.”

I can do this. Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

I am strong. Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

I walk in peace. John 16:33 “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

I am joyful. Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

I am known. John 10:14-15 “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.” Matthew 10:30 “But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 1 Corinthians 8:3 “But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.”

I am safe. Psalm 4:8 “In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O’Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Proverbs 18:10 “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.”

I’ve given you some I ams, notice the “am” is lowercase! There is a reason and that is because God is the great “I Am”

Exodus 3:14 ESV “God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’ and he said, ‘Say this to the people of Isreal: ‘I AM has sent me to you.”

John 8:58 ESV “Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I Am.”

John 14:6 ESV “Jesus said to him, ‘I Am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Revelation 1:8 ESV “I Am the Alpha and the Omega, ‘says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

John 8:12 ESV “Again, Jesus spoke to them saying, ‘I Am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

So, put your little ‘I am’ in the hand of the great ‘I Am,’ and walk safely, securely, protected, provided for and, most of all loved!

Have a most blessed day! ☀️❤️☺️

What do you do when your prayers seem to go unheard? How are we to feel when we don’t feel God’s presence within our despair? When is God going to show up? Why do I feel so alone when his word tells me I am never alone?

All of the above are battles of our emotions!

Just because it doesn’t feel like God is listening, doesn’t mean he isn’t! Just because within our jumbled emotions and swirling thoughts we don’t feel his presence doesn’t me he isn’t present. The feeling of impatience due to God not working fast enough for you in your dilemma. The feeling of loneliness, solitude, and or confinement.

Our feelings and emotions are like the sand on the seashore; changing with each sweep of the tide, swaying to and fro moment by moment. We should never base our truths on our emotions or feelings at any given time.

What then should we do within the swirling vortex of our emotional minds?

We keep pressing into our source of light, strength, comfort, and deliverance; our Lord Jesus Christ.

Proverbs 3:5 ESV “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”

Psalm 37:4-6 ESV. “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; and trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.”

Psalm 9:10 ESV. “And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.”

Joshua 1:9 ESV. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Jeremiah 29:11 ESV “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Jeremiah 17:7-8 ESV “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and are not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

And there it is in a nutshell! Those who trust in the Lord are like a tree planted by fresh water! We are planted in the living water of Jesus Christ! We are shaded and protected by his bright beautiful green leaves. We trust him to always be our source of life therefore we do not need to fear when the heat gets turned up or the possible threat of a drought arises. Through Him and his strength, we shall always bear fruit if we always stay attached to the vine which is our Lord Jesus Christ.

So, when we don’t feel like God is there, or we don’t feel like he’s listening, remind yourself this is only but a passing feeling and let it pass!

Be blessed today! ☺️❤️☀️

Dear Lord Our Father In Heaven,

The skies are a brilliant Carribean blue this morning Lord which brings so much light to the sky and joy to my heart. I think it’s funny I would start this prayer with a color description because I was thinking about my new box of colored pencils and your glorious array of colors as I was reading my morning devotions.

Your presence is always with us even when we get so busy with our day that we fail to notice. Lord, I humbly ask for eyes that notice, a spirit that senses; being aware of you each moment of the day. To not get into such a rut or routine that you become background scenery that blends invisibly, taken for granted.

To walk in the beauty of the world before us taking delight in the wildflowers dotting the landscape put there for our viewing pleasure. To take a lesson from the clouds that drift lazily across the sky, reminding us to slow down a bit and take a breath of our glorious fresh air! To look up and smile because we know you are there.

To stop focusing on the darkness, weirdness, calamities, and destruction that is screaming for our attention and instead focus on you, your hand upon us, and the beauty you’ve given us; glimpses of heaven every day if we will only slow down long enough.

Thank you, Lord, for the Roses. 🌹

Thank you, Lord, for the Sunshine ☀️

Thank you, Lord, for Direction 🚗

Thank you Lord, for your Peace ☮️

Thank you, Lord, for your Word 📖

Thank you, Lord, for your Love ❤️

Thank you, Lord, for your Son ✨

In your glorious name Lord Jesus, I thank you for this day and our opportunity to spend it together. 😌 Amen

To The Graduates,

Dear Lord Our Father in Heaven,

We praise Your Holy Name, Lord Jesus.

Today starts a series of graduations this week that involve quite a few members of my family and so I wish to hold up to you Lord those who are walking the walk of hard work and accomplishment adorned in their cap and gowns.

Lord, I ask that you fill each of them with a sense of self-worth, in a job well done, a task completed, a goal obtained. To be able to look back and gain a sense of strength from the hurdles they jumped over to the mountains they conquered.

I humbly ask Lord that you be with each one of our graduates as they begin the next phase of their lives; whether it be entering the workforce, the next level of college as they strive to earn their degree, the fun next step of high school, or the big step of kindergarten in the big school

Be their guide Lord as they navigate through new waters and the next chapter of their lives. Shine your grace upon them as the sun shines upon our faces. Walk with them and talk with them, leading and teaching.

I thank you, Lord, for always being with all your children every day. Thank you for helping us graduate from one lesson to another, from experiencing your loving mercy and favor each day as we grow closer and more secure in you.

Help us to become stronger in you as we feel your mighty hand of love and protection, direction and provision upon us.

Thank you for this day Lord, thank you for this week! Thank you for always being with us. In your glorious name Lord Jesus, I pray. Amen 😌❤️

When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior he not only writes our names in the Book of Life, and secures our place with Him in Heaven, but he also sends us the Holy Spirit!

John 16:13 ESV: “When the spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.”

The Holy Spirit is the touch, feel, and sounds of the heavenly that we cannot yet touch, feel, or hear, on earth.

John 14:26 ESV: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”

1 John 4:13 ESV: By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us his Spirit.”

1 Corinthians 3:16 ESV: “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?”

The Holy Spirit is our go-between, our communicator, our Mighty Counselor, and our Comforter. When we pray to God, the Holy Spirit intercedes and prays with us and for us, directly to God the Father.

When faced with a trial or dilemma that has you down on the ground on your knees, exhausted and your prayers for deliverance or answers seem to go unheard, prayer after prayer, day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year!

You have a thorn in your side and it seems as though no amount of energy, compromise, struggle, or work, along with prayers of begging, pleading, and hoping for an answer, deliverance, or direction seems to change your situation.

We have put the situation or trial in your hands, Lord, our strength is spent, our spirits are lagging and our hearts feel hopelessness within; now what?

Keep praying; asking for the wisdom to do your part, seeking his word regarding the trial, whether it be your marriage, work place, finances or health. Find scripture on what God has to say and repeat it as if a mantra! Finding and receiving strength!

Invite the Holy Spirit into your spirit, mind, and heart! Ask Him to help you turn off the static in your brain, the reel that got stuck on repeat, or the noise of the world that’s clamoring.

Ask the Holy Spirit for his fruit: Galatians 5:22-33 ~ “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness, self-control;against such things there is no law!”

Place your hands in the hands of The Holy Spirit! Following his lead, trusting him, relying on him, and continually praying through him; you just might find a quickening in your spirit. A feeling of excitement in which you don’t know why! A sense of something good coming down the pike for what you can only hope and imagine, a heightened anticipation for what you are yet to receive!

That’s the work of the Holy Spirit! The word quicken used in the King James Bible means: ‘revive or make alive’ as a result we notice a measurable change in our soul. We feel strengthened, and filled with peace, joy, and hope.” Lots and lots of hope!

So, if you notice that you have an excitement rumbling in your spirit, don’t try and dissect, instead smile, take a deep breath, relax and know God is telling you; “He’s got this, He’s got you!”

Be blessed my friends. 😌❤️☀️

Dear Lord, Our Father In Heaven,

We begin this new week of a new month of a new season with you. I know the official date of summer hasn’t arrived but the summer month has and that’s close enough for me.

I want to thank you Lord; thank you for always being with us and our families. I thank you for being with everyone who reads this prayer.

Psalm 100:4 reminds us to: “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”

So, we shall!

Thank you, Lord, for being the author of our lives. As we put our trust in you Lord we walk freely of the fear, dread, and worry of tomorrow. We might not know what tomorrow holds but we know who holds it!

Thank you for understanding. Often we feel deeper than our words can express; thank you for knowing our hearts and what we’re trying to say.

Thank you for seeing! You see that which we offer in love! You see our triumphs and failures, hopes, dreams, and fears! You see behind doors we cannot! You see that which is good and that which is evil. You see the motives; You see the heart! We put our trust in you because you see!

Thank you for hearing! Thank you for always being there when we need to talk. Thank you for being there when we need to be quiet. Thank you for hearing what we can’t verbalize, thank you for continuing to listen when we babble on. Thank you for being in our reflecting, pondering, and prayers.

Thank you for your wisdom! Thank you for walking before us, leading us down the path you have deemed for us. Thank you that we are intuned to your Holy Spirit and your word. Thank you for the sense to follow your lead and not rely on our misguided wanderings.

Thank you, Lord, for breaking apart and diminishing any darkness in our world and shedding your beautiful light upon us!

Thank you daily Lord for your protection and provision for us and ours. Thank you for always being with us and ours.

Today I claim this verse for all who spend time in Sunshine;

2 Thessalonians 3:16 NLT: “Now may the Lord of Peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.”

And on that perfect note, I close with humble thanksgiving in and for your beautiful name Lord Jesus, I commit this prayer. Amen 😌

2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.”

The New Living Translations reads “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun.”

What does this actually mean?

Well, first off when we believe and commit to the prayer of salvation acknowledging Jesus Christ as the Son of God; who came down from heaven, walked our earth, died on the cross for OUR sins, and then rose from death, ascending into heaven, defying sin and death. Changes start to happen.

When we decide to follow Jesus, we become a child of God, a disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ, and a new creation! Our fleshly spirit joins with the Holy Spirit and a new us begins. Yes, we still look the same and walk the same; laugh, smile, and talk the same, but the subtle changes come.

Little things start to happen; possibly our verbiage changes slightly possibly less colorful and our outlooks may start to vary from our past views. We might find ourselves exhibiting more compassion and less judgment. We may have more patience than yesterday, and unexplained peace within frantic situations that usually caused panic.

The old has passed away! In other words, our old self has died! When we ask Jesus for forgiveness for our sins; He forgives and He also forgets! The only ones packing old sins and errors around are us. We are cleansed in the blood of our Lord, we are new creations, within him, now it is time for us to grasp, let go of the guilts and chains, and start believing it!

All things have become new! For example, take a white shirt you found discarded and forgotten in the back of the closet. It is dingy, yellowed, wrinkled, and less than appealing. But, throw it in a hot soapy washer with bleach and the results are amazing! That shirt that once looked ready for the rag bag is now bright, sparkly, clean, and desirable to wear. It’s not new but renewed!

We are sort of like that; we come to Jesus a mess, resembling something out of the garbage heap. He gently wraps us in his loving arms, holds us until the fear subsides, swabs away our filth, sets us on our feet, and walks beside us holding our hands along the journey.

A New Life Has Begun! Let the Lord daily transform you into the person you hope and strive to become. Join me, it’s a new day of a new month of a new us! Be blessed today! 😎☀️❤️

Dear Lord, Our Father in Heaven,

Thank you!

Thank you for your love every moment of my day!

Thank you for walking before me, beside me, and behind me!

Thank you for the fresh air I breathe, the blue skies overhead, and the song of the birds outside my window.

Thank you for life’s simple pleasures and the ability to recognize them, and stopping to appreciate them. Smiling at Mrs. Robin who daily shops for her baby’s meals, or giggling at the momma bunny, and her two little ones who nibble and frolic, playing a game of tag in my yard.

Thank you, Lord, for slowing me down so I might gaze at your beauty, stopping long enough to breathe in the fragrance of a rose, or listen to the water as it splashes in the pond, relaxing as I watch the koi glide ever so gracefully through the water.

The unmistakable smell of the trees in the forest mingled with dust, leaves, and nature. To stand in awe at the canyons that look to have been cracked open and then left behind. The majestic mountains, crags, and hilltops, and the various creatures you created that inhabit them.

Lord, you have given us beauty as far and as wide as we can see! I ask for your presence within, guiding, showing, leading, and teaching.

To feel your peace flowing through my spirit as the clouds slowly drift across the sky.

To walk in quiet, gentle communion with you! To seek your face in the morning and to rest with you at night.

The world feels out of control right now Lord, but I know that you have total control over what’s going on, it’s all within your ultimate plan; help me to trust in You, rest in You, and follow You!

Thank you for always being with me and mine as we walk through the jungle, grateful for your guidance and direction.

Thank you, Lord, for your vision, and your clarity within all the mass confusion, screaming, protests, and anger! Thank you for your protection against all the anger that’s ranting stupidity in our streets.

Thank you for being with our military, armed forces, and police as they fight radical behavior and forces of evil within our realms.

Thank you for being bigger and stronger than any foe we might face! Jehovah Nissi our banner, we stand strong and firm behind you who leads us into victory.

I walk in victory every day of my life Lord, because I walk with you. Thank you for hearing this prayer! Thank you for your love. In your glorious name Lord Jesus, I pray. Amen!

Proverbs 6:16-19 ESV: “There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.”

Abomination: ‘a thing that causes disgust or hatred; a feeling of hatred’ Oxford Languages

Discord: a disagreement between people; lack of harmony between two notes sounding together.’ Oxford Languages

A lack of harmony!

Are you married, in a committed relationship, or living in a roommate environment? If you answered yes, then you know the meaning and feeling of discord.

When two or more individuals cohabitate, there will be differences in moods, actions, thoughts, ideas, and words. Something as simple as getting up on the wrong side of the bed can produce crankiness, irritability, and edginess that might be perceived as rude.

Uh-Oh, Discord! Even if words aren’t exchanged the air of contention can be felt! What do you do?

There are a couple of scenarios that come to mind. One, continue down the path of discord until a fight breaks out satisfying your carnal mood at the moment but then what? More discord, anger, the cold seeps in and you feel worse than before! Great!!!

OR

Pray about it! Go somewhere quiet, anywhere that you can sit, look up and talk to God. Give him your side of the story, complain about your slights, offer him your hurt feelings, and THEN ask for his guidance!

But remember, conversations are two-sided. Be ready for the Lord to reveal your hand in the situation. I remember Pastor Lynn always teaching: “Don’t go to the Lord with the demand to fix my spouse before asking him to fix you first.”

I hear her words often, making me stop, smile, giggle, and open my mind to my share of the responsibility within the problem.

I’m not writing to just the husbands and wives, boyfriends and girlfriends, partners and friends; it is true in any setting, whether church, work, or social. Anytime two or more people gather the more possibility of differences.

If we take a moment, ask God to show us the changes needed within us to change the outward. We might find a lot more peace and a lot less strife.

It’s certainly something to think about because I know what a difference it makes for me! 😉

I have to admit I got a bit bummed when I checked the weather for my day. I live in the Pacific Northwest, and we expect clouds and partial rain! Weather like this is nothing new, and I appreciate all the green in my world, but the past couple of days spoiled me with the warmth of sunshine and the brightness of blue skies.

So, what a great opportunity to see what God has to say about clouds.

Job 37:16 ESV: “Do you know the balancing of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge.”

The balancing of the clouds! Oh, my gosh, think about that! God balances the clouds because we’d either burn up or drown if he didn’t.

Trains balance their cars in succession, distributing the weight. Planes balance our suitcases within the aircraft’s undercarriage: a ship’s cargo, a loaded truck trailer, freight, and package haulers. In essence, our lives hinge on balance. Not to go off on a tangent but to look upon all the clouds in the sky and think they are all in place and where God wants them for our atmospheric balance. WOW!

Nahum 1:3 ESV: “The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty. His way is in the whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.”

Oh, but another gem. The clouds are the dust of his feet! I grew up in a small Eastern Oregon town in the 70’s, and I walked upon many dusty streets. Can you imagine walking on clouds, traipsing along on giant fluffy marshmallow cottony clouds? That’d be cool!

Psalm 108:4: “For your steadfast love is great above the heavens; your faithfulness reaches the clouds.”

And on this, we can be sure, and on this, we can rely.

Thank you, Lord, for this day! Thank you for your love, which reaches the clouds and beyond faithfully. Thank you for always being with us, holding our lives in perfect balance, and even when our world is off-kilter, for continually realigning and maintaining our balance! In your name, Lord Jesus, humbly we pray. 😌