Your words…

I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread he will live forever. The bread that I will give for the life of the world is My flesh. Jesus speaking…John 6:51

My words…

Praise

Jesus, I love that You chose “bread” as one of Your personal metaphors. You could have proclaimed to be the “living meat” (Lamb of God reference), but You chose bread (manna reference). I love bread; it’s the original comfort food – simple sustenance. You took the reference and brought it to life when You became God in flesh. You came with Your hand extended; all I had to do was take it. Simple. Manna spoiled, but You are the eternal Bread of Life. I digest peace and hope, such comfort! Some people are disturbed by the correlation between bread and Your flesh. Eating bread – yum. Eating flesh – yuck. It causes one to stop. Reflect. Ponder. Pray. Hmmm…no accident. Figuratively speaking, I take You in and allow You to nourish my inner self – that part of me You died for. You gave me the bread at great cost. Who am I to refuse it?

Prayer for others

I pray for those who are spiritually glucose intolerant, or on a self-proclaimed low carb/no carb diet when it comes to “living” bread. Perhaps they have living bread confused with dogma, theologies, or traditions. For them, it’s not sustenance. It’s poison. They do not reach out to take it. They run from it. I pray they may see You as You really are: the One God who died for them because You love them. Period.

Your words…

Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. Luke 6:37-38

My words…

Praise

My first bible was given to me by my parents. All of Your words, Jesus, are written in red ink. These words from Luke are written in red. I believe with my whole heart that the red words are all I need to live fulfilled on this planet. There aren’t that many red words, especially in light of the fact they were spoken by the Almighty Son of God for all humankind. They may be few, but they’re weighty, given with an eternal perspective. I am grateful for every word You spoke and for every person who wrote them down, so I could read them on a day like today. Because today, these words visited my house.

Prayer for me and Samantha

As I worked in my front yard, a car rolled by my house. I took notice because the car was not covered in a shiny coat of paint, but in dull, gray primer. Who would paint their car in primer? I went back to work, and I noticed the car had turned around and was headed back my way. Oh no. I paid too much attention to that car. Now they’re coming back. A smiling, pleasant looking woman called to me from her open window. I approached, assuming she would ask for directions to a nearby home. “Hi! I have a job interview this afternoon, and I was wondering if you could help me out. I have an apartment nearby. You may have seen my around.” She went on to assure me she was not on any government assistance programs, spouting acronyms I had never heard of. She’s probably lying. When she stopped to draw breath, I asked, “What do you need?” “Some money to buy gas and food would be great.” She smiled. An old man sat in her passenger seat. He never stopped talking, yet I heard not a word. The woman looked his way and nodded back at me as if I were part of the three-way conversation. If only I had not paid so much attention to that car.

It’s not everyday an opportunity for me to be You pulls up outside my house. I see people in need, seated by the roadside, holding signs with messages of need. But I’m tucked safely in my car, behind a barrier of metal and glass with a choice of whether to turn my head or drive by. But not this time. Only a barrier of soft spring breeze separated me from woman in the car. If everything she said were true, and she didn’t have enough gas in her car to get to her job interview, and she was hungry, then the woman (and apparently the old man with her) had fallen on hard times, had swallowed their pride, and asked a perfect stranger for help. They were in need of You in action. If, however, the woman was lying, and she was trolling the streets of my city, looking for an unsuspecting person within calling distance from the curb to work her scam and take her chances on getting a few bucks, she was still in need of You in action. I judged her the minute I saw her primed car. In that moment, I was judged. I find it compelling that judging and giving are mentioned in the same lesson. It’s easy to judge and not give, but it’s also easy to judge as I give.

Before she drove away, I asked for her name. “Samantha,” she said. “I’ll pray for you,” I replied. She smiled and drove away. And so I pray for Samantha. If she needs a job, I pray you will bless her with one, so she will have the means to care for herself and the man in her passenger seat. I pray she will never go hungry. You love her. I pray she comes to know that fully. And lastly, I pray for me. Forgive my snap-to judgmental heart. I am ashamed. I didn’t do a good job of living according to the red words. If Samantha stops by again, I’ll be ready.

Your words…

Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted and unfading kept in heaven for you. 1 Peter 1:3-4

My words…

Praise

Although I do not dwell on death, I am surrounded by its reminders: road kill, cemeteries, flags at half mast. As sad and (at times) unpleasant as death is, it provides the best contrast to what is living. We go to great lengths to save a life. We teach our children CPR. AED machines are attached to the walls of every public building. We grasp life like the precious jewel it is. Where does this come from? You, of course. Each of Your children is a special soul worth saving. So, when I read about a living hope, hope with a pulse, I know it’s from You! This living hope is the antithesis of a hope that is dead (no hope). It’s a hope that nourishes, sustains, grows. When I fail You, hope lifts me up and sets me on a higher plane. When I allow myself to forget how You have blessed me, hope reminds me. Hope leads me to open my Bible. Hope is the reason I pray. Hope is there to greet me when I wake. When Your resurrected body drew its first miraculous breath, living hope was born. It busted out of the grave along with You, and it hasn’t stopped providing the very best reason for living, and dying.

Prayer for us

This past year has been a hope-zapper for nearly everyone on this planet. In truth, I’m weary of thinking about it; yet, it lingers. Sickness, death, shortages, riots in the streets, confusion and distrust. It’s enough to make one lose hope of ever having hope. So I ask Your Spirit to shine forth in living hope like a beacon on this dark world and send the Evil One scuttling. Bring us back to life with hope for a future with You.

Forgive me

Climbing suicide rates. Economic uncertainty. Dwindling morality. Doom and Gloom. Day after day. Forgive me when I allow the measly predictions of humans to overshadow Your divine plans for this world.

Thank You for living hope. Five very inadequate words of gratitude for such a gift. It was all because of Your resurrection, which was all because of Your death, which was all because of Your love for me. Thank You for accepting my thank You. You always do.

More praise

I am happy and relieved that my inheritance doesn’t spoil, rust or fade. It’s indestructible! But what’s even more glorious is that You are keeping it for me. For me! Like a treasure in a hope chest. A living hope chest.

Your words…

So if you have been raised with the Messiah, seek what is above, where the Messiah is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on earth. Colossians 3:1-2

My words…

I keep a list of all the tasks I am currently working on and plan to work on in the future. When I accomplish a task, it gives me great pleasure to take my pencil and draw a line through the item. I usually draw four or five lines in order to soak up more pleasure. Regretfully, “seeking what is above” is not currently on my list. My list is an earth-dwelling list not a heaven-bound list. But, that’s all right because these words of Paul’s (and Yours) have nothing to do with lists or tasks or pencil lines. Seeking what is above is a mind-set (“set your minds”). Your Spirit taught me that. If my mind were set on what is on earth, my reactions to events would be misguided, my outlook bleaker. A mother grieving over her mentally ill child would nudge me toward helplessness; instead, I raise that family up before You and have faith You will work Your will in them. A country embroiled in violence and division could lead me to abandon my hope for its future; instead, I remember You rule over the nations (Ps. 22:28), and You rule with perfect wisdom. Satan tightens his grip on Your church and sets Your children on a dangerous path, yet You have already defeated the ruler of this world, and Your church will stand victorious against him (Matt. 16:18). Where You are, there is hope not despair. In Your presence is eternal light not darkness. I look heavenward, yet my head is not in the clouds. I consider You on the highest plain while my face is bowed. I throw off the uncertain tomorrow for the certainty of heaven. I release unsatisfying pursuits and take hold of Your intentions for me. I am not distracted by what will pass away but focused on a promise of an incorruptible treasure. There is no task list for seeking what is above, no pencil lines drawn through these items. I’m not the one doing the work. All I do is set my mind on You as best as I know how. Seated at the right hand of God, You are in the perfect position to take it from there.

Your words…

And a road will be there and a way; it will be called the Holy Way. The unclean will not travel on it, but it will be for the one who walks the path. Even the fool will not go astray. There will be no lion there, and no vicious beast will go up on it; they will not be found there. But the redeemed will walk on it, and the redeemed of the Lord will return and come to Zion with singing, crowned with unending joy. Joy and gladness will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee. Isaiah 35:8-10

Jesus said, “I am the way…” John 14:6

My words…

Praise

There is an element of fear in my soul when I am preparing to travel somewhere, and I don’t know the way. What if I find myself lost in a dangerous part of town? What if I drive around so long, I run out of gas, and I’m stranded? Alone. These images trouble me. It’s very important to me that I know where I’m going before I start out. The journey is made even better if I have a traveling buddy. Without the threat of getting lost, I am free to sing songs, play road games, and arrive refreshed and safe. Isaiah’s description of the Holy Way resonates with my soul. First of all, it’s a path, which means someone went before me and blazed it to make my journey easier. Thank You, Jesus. This path is well-marked (a “raised way” Is. 35:8-10), a level path (Ps. 27:11), where You are the leader, the guide (Ps. 25:8). So, I don’t have to worry about getting lost. Just follow You. Those who strive to oppose You (“vicious beasts”) do not roam this path. Only the redeemed travel with me. It’s a toll road, but You paid the price so I wouldn’t have to. The toll was heavy, but You bore it by the strength of Your love. If sorrow sidles up along anyone, my traveling companions and I will sing it away! The only thing more beautiful than this path is where it leads.

Prayer for me

You spoke to your disciples about the difficult, narrow road and how few find it (Matt. 7:14). The way is narrow because there isn’t enough room on the path for all the stuff I want to bring along with me. I must leave my pride at home. (Step aside, Jesus. I know the way.) There’s not enough room for Your will and mine. (The path should go this way.) So, teach me how to be content on the path, without the luggage.

Forgive me

I praise You for teaching me to love traveling on the path. It wasn’t always a favorite place of mine. Now, however, I find myself wanting to sit and rest on the path instead of moving forward with You. Can’t we just take a breather? What does that say about my spirit? My joy and hope are frayed. Forgive me for allowing that to happen.

Prayer for others

Although I have so many beautiful souls traveling with me, there are some whom I love that do not wish to sojourn with us. I miss their company. As do You. I don’t know how to pray for them. I simply ask Your Spirit to intercede for me to bring before You, Father, the perfect petition.

Thank You

A couple of years ago, I went on a retreat to a place where there were several paths created for any who wanted to walk in silence surrounded by nature to worship, meditate, and ponder. (You were there with me.) I followed a path into a wooded area, enjoying the sound of the birds and the breeze rustling the leaves. Then, the path just…stopped. My next step would have placed me in an unmarked, thick forest. I turned back, feeling cheated. I am deeply thankful the path I walk with You leads to the place You are preparing for me. It’s all right that I cannot fathom an image of such a place in my imagination. All the better!

More Praise

Jesus, You said, “I am the way.” Four words. Do I really need to know anything else in this life? Nope.

Pray the Hymn

God is the fountain whence ten thousand blessings flow; To Him my life, my health and friends, and every good I owe.

You are the sweet, flowing source of my limitless blessings; All of the good things in my life – my health, friends, family – I owe to You.

The comforts He affords are neither few nor small; He is the source of fresh delights, my portion and my all.

The comforting peace You offer is no small thing; All of the wonders of this world that delight me are gifts from You: the sweet song of the birds at dawn, the feel of a cool breeze on a summer day, the laughter of a dad and his children playing, the taste of perfectly brewed tea, the smell of baking bread, the certainty of Your Spirit instructing mine. You are all I need to live fulfilled in every way.

He fills my heart with joy. My lips attunes for praise; and to His glory I’ll devote the remnant of my days.

Perfect joy is found in You. I hold Your joy in my heart, and it is filled to the brim. Because of this, I want to sing like an angel. And for Your glory I will remain faithful to You for the rest of my life. Amen.