HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

God's love is meteoric, His loyalty astronomic, His purpose titanic, His verdicts oceanic. Yet in His largeness nothing gets lost; not a (wo)man, not a mouse, slips through the cracks. (Psalm 36:5-6, MSG).

I recently experienced a heart-breaking loss and I’ve been despondent.  While heartache is not an unfamiliar feeling to me, I’m tired of weeping.  I anticipated greeting Valentine’s Day 2011 with discontent, but I thank God for the joy that appeared this morning!  (Psalm 30:5, AMP).

Dear God:

I thank you for being astonishing!

Forgive me for neglecting my relationship with You.  Please grant me a praise--release me from the shackles of loss and give me a triumphant shout, O God!

You prevent me from slipping through the crack of self-pity.  Although I may not be the recipient of customary confections and roses, I have Your prevailing covenant and righteousness.

Life is challenging because I yearn for the tangible presence of love.  Life is good because Your “sure, solid, enduring love” is present each day.  (Isaiah 55:3, MSG).  Life is abundant because the privilege of being in relationship with You epitomizes true love!

I LOVE YOU, O God!  In the everlasting name of Jesus, I pray…AMEN.

Pay attention, come close now, listen carefully to my life-giving, life-nourishing words. I'm making a lasting covenant commitment with you, the same that I made with David: sure, solid, enduring love. (Isaiah 55:3, MSG).

A DOSE OF ENCOURAGEMENT - Monday, October 11, 2010

God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon's scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. Nothing and no one is impervious to God's Word. We can't get away from it—no matter what. Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let's not let it slip through our fingers. We don't have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He's been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let's walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help. (Hebrews 4:12-16, MSG).


Hebrews 4:12-16 is encouragement to STAY connected with GOD through the reading of the Holy Word.  REMAIN faithful and obedient to His Word, O children of God.  Sit still and READ His Word--LISTEN to God (and stop being rebellious).
 
Christians are confused, hurting and desperate, yet we're unwilling (forgetting/neglecting our literal connection) to connect with Christ and accept His help through the AFFIRMING Word.
 
Life is challenging because I am afraid to walk up to Christ to acquire what He's eager to give me.  Life is good because the Word of God is an available resource for me to read and learn how to approach Christ.  Life is abundant because the WORD is God's unlimited lifetime warranty!

Dear God:
Help me to admit that right now is the time to accept JESUS' help!
Considering all of the sins I've committed, there are times that
I am literally petrified to approach You.
When I want to run away from reality, help me run to You.
Prompt me to talk with You about my struggles and ambitions.
Give me the discipline to read Your Word routinely.
Increase my faith and help me to believe Your written promises.
In the guarantee-giving name of JESUS, I pray...AMEN.

When God made his promise to Abraham, he backed it to the hilt, putting his own reputation on the line. He said, "I promise that I'll bless you with everything I have—bless and bless and bless!" Abraham stuck it out and got everything that had been promised to him. When people make promises, they guarantee them by appeal to some authority above them so that if there is any question that they'll make good on the promise, the authority will back them up. When God wanted to guarantee his promises, he gave his word, a rock-solid guarantee—God can't break his word. And because his word cannot change, the promise is likewise unchangeable. We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It's an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God where Jesus, running on ahead of us, has taken up his permanent post as high priest for us, in the order of Melchizedek. (Hebrews 6:13-20, MSG).

SHE IS [A Tribute To My Mother]

For You have been my hope, O Sovereign GOD, my confidence since my youth. From birth I have relied on You; You are He Who took me from my Mother's womb and You have been my benefactor from that day. My praise is continually of You. (Psalm 71:5-6).


A good Mother is hard to find, and worth far more than any treasure.  Malkia trusts Her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it.  Never spiteful, She treats Malkia generously all her life long.  She spoils Malkia (Her only child) rotten!  She shops around for the finest attire (at bargain prices), and takes pleasure in sewing.  She’s like a long-distance Wardrobe Consultant that shops internationally and hand-delivers or ships exotic and delightful surprises.  She's up before dawn, praying for Her family and friends, and organizing Her eventful day.  Though GOD has allowed Her to experience troubles -- sucker-punched by the heart-wrenching betrayal of alleged friends and loved ones -- GOD restored Her life.  GOD increases Her honor and comforts Her!  She searched for a stress-free home and took possession; then, with money She put aside, decorates interior and exterior.  First thing in the morning, She dresses for work, rolls up her sleeves, ready to get started.  She senses the worth of Her (social) work, is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.  She is truly dedicated to Her profession—always going the extra mile to nurture a child.  She's accomplished in the crafts of home and hearth, meticulous in homemaking.  She's willing to assist anyone in need, reaches out to help the disenfranchised.  She sews her own clothing, and adorns Herself in colorful linens and silks.  She is Your faithful servant!  She is greatly respected in her community.  She is a gifted seamstress.  She designs gowns, suits, doll accessories, robes, window treatments and sells them.  Her attire emanates quality and elegance, and She always greets each new day with a radiant smile.  Shh, when She speaks She always has something meaningful to say, and She always says it graciously.  She keeps an eye on everyone She interacts with, and keeps them all busy and productive.  Her daughter appreciates and respects Her; Malkia declares this praise:

“Many mothers have done remarkable things, but
Mommy, you outshine them all!”

Charm can hoodwink and beauty in an instant fades.  The Mother to be admired and praised is the Mother who lives in the Fear-of-God.  O Sovereign GOD, please give Mommy everything She deserves!  Decorate Her life with praises!  [Inspired by Proverbs 31:10-31; Psalm 71:20-21]


O Sovereign GOD, I thank you for being my hope since 1975.  I am so thankful for the woman You designated as the vessel to give me life.  I praise You forever!  (Psalm 71:5-6).


Who, O Sovereign GOD, is like you?  How great is the love You lavish upon me, that I be called Your child?!  How great is Your love for me, that I have the privilege to call Jeanette my earthly mother?!  What I will become has not yet been made known; however, I do know that I would not be the woman I am today, if You were not my Benefactor.  I would not be the woman I am today, if You had not blessed me with an exceptional mother.  She reared me to have faith in You.  She uses the Proverbial Word as her parenting guidebook.  She is the Virtuous Woman personified.  (1 John 3:1-2; Psalm 71:6).


O Sovereign God, I praise You for Your great faithfulness.  I say a special prayer for my mother this day:

RESIDE in Her HEART

ANOINT Her with Your FAVOR

SUSTAIN Her with Joy

To the One "who is, and who was, and who is to come," and in the MARVELOUS name of Jesus Christ I pray…AMEN.  (Revelation 1:8).