God Knows Our Hearts

God does know us. We cannot pretend we are something we are not with him. He knows us - inside and out, through and through. This should liberate us to share a remarkable degree of intimacy with him, but most of us run from such a close relationship with our Father. If our desire, however, is to become more like him, the only way to be transformed is by inviting him in to look at our hearts, our motivations, and our desires.

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

— Psalm 139:23-24

Dear Lord, we know you are the one who "searches hearts and minds." Yet because of the grace you demonstrated in Jesus, we are confident that you love me. Our hearts are sorry for the sin we have committed, but we are really trying to serve you in honor and purity. Please fill us with your Spirit to enable use to become more like Christ. In Jesus name, Amen.

Life is Wonderful

God's actions are not reactions to current situations, but part of his long term plan to bring redemption. Yes, he has done marvelous things: he took the evil intent of a mob who cried "Crucify him" and turned it into an opportunity to fulfill the prophets and redeem us. He is perfect in faithfulness and has done marvelous things.

O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.

— Isaiah 25:1

Dear Lord, you surprise us with new wonders and new things daily. Yet deep in our heart we know they are not new to you. Thank you for not making life boring or predictable so we might thirst after you, you who are forever fresh, new, exciting, and marvelous. In Jesus Name, Amen.

He is Worthy

We are to begin each day with God. Every breath we take should be a powerful reminder that our Father has granted us another day of life to serve him. Each heartbeat is God's drumbeat of love, reminding us that we are blessed with another minute to offer him our best. This blessing is so easily forgotten. We best remember these truths when we teach them and show them and live them with and before our children. But, let's not leave their learning these truths to our example alone. Let's find teachable moments to explain our faith, to praise our Heavenly Father, and to teach God's truth.

These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

— Deuteronomy 6:6-7

Dear Lord, thank you! Thank you for this breath we take and for the heartbeat that sustains our life. Make us aware as we travel and talk and rest and work that you are there and are worthy of our very best. In Jesus name, Amen.

Be Strong and Courageous

Never alone! What a promise. God will go with him, and us, through all the seasons of life, through all our ups and downs, through temptations and triumphs, even through death. So we can take courage and feel his strength. We are not alone

"Have not I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

— Joshua 1:9

Dear Lord, thank you for being there and staying there when all others forsake and leave. You are the one constant in our life so full of change. Help us become more steadfast and faithful in our commitments and relationships to honor you and to learn more about you. In Jesus name. Amen.

He is God and We are Not

No matter how hard we try to perceive the awesomeness of God, he is still God and we are not. We must forever remember that the original, and still primary, sin was to try to become like God in terms of knowledge and understanding. We are to know God, but we can never fully know everything about him. We are to take on his character, but we cannot approach his majesty, righteousness, or holiness on our own. This is both exciting and frustrating. But, the promise remains that one day we will be like him and see him as he is and know fully even as we are fully known .

"My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

— Isaiah 55:8-9

Dear Lord, thank you for being so patient with us when we cannot fully understand and appreciate your holy character. Thank you for sending Jesus so we can know you better and trust you to know us better than we know ourself. We look forward to seeing you face to face when Jesus comes to bring use home. Until that day, know we love you. In Jesus name. Amen.

Follow in His Steps

How we long for this to be our true confession. We are not yet gold, but long to be. We are not yet fully following his steps, but are trying. We have tried to not turn aside, but we sometimes falter. Thank God for his grace until our intentions and desires are fulfilled in our discipleship!

He knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside.

— Job 23:10-11

Dear Lord, We confess our sin and our inadequacy in following your paths. Forgive us as we recommit our life to serve you. Thank you for your grace which covers our sin and perfects in us the character of Jesus. In Jesus name. Amen.

God is My Strength

What can truly fulfill and sustain us? Maybe the best way to answer that question is by asking another: What can we keep when our bodies are placed silently in their graves at death? Only our relationship with God and his people lasts beyond the grave. If he is what lasts, then how can we displace him for anything that doesn't?

Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

— Psalm 73:25-26

Dear Lord, Thank you for being my past, my present, and my future, the Great I Am. In Jesus’ name. Amen.