Help me to keep my eyes on You, Oh, Lord…

Then Peter called to him,

” Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you by walking on water.”  “All right, come,”  Jesus said. 

So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 

But when he looked around at the high waves, he was terrified and began to sink, “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. 

Instantly Jesus reached out His hand and grabbed him,  “You don’t have much faith,” Jesus said, “Why did you doubt me? 

And when they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. Then the disciples worshiped Him. 

“You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed..”

Matthew 14:29-33

How many times, in a single day, can my mind start doubting in God’s goodness for me..

Ahhhh.. a lot :/

I find such comfort and sweet refuge in the stories of the disciples..

They were in the presence of Jesus.

They were watching miracle after miracle, yet deep down.. someplace in their heart of hearts… they too struggled…

When I think of this story, it’s interesting to note that just a few hours before this happened, Jesus fed about five thousand tired and hungry people with five loaves of bread, and two fish!

Jesus had the disciples bring him the loves of bread and two fish.  Then He looked up to heaven, and asked God’s blessing on it…

How amazed must they all have been when they fed the five thousand people and even had left overs???

Amazed… but not fully changed.

That’s so true of my life too…

I believe God loves me.  I believe that God has great plans for me.  I believe Jesus died for me.  Saved me.  Rescued me.. yet I can doubt that He can change me.

When times are good, I know that the hand of God is the reason…

I know that.

Why then in my struggles should I doubt…

Thank You, Heavenly Father for this sweet story of Your love and faithfulness to Your friends…

You were their to feed the hungry… You were there to calm the storm…

All we need to do is call Your name.

Maybe Your answer doesn’t look like we want it to, but You always answer with your hand reached out, and Your heart calling our name…

How I thank You, for such amazing grace…

I love You, Jesus…

May my heart be full, my hand ready to reach out, and Your name on my lips…

I love You,

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Live in Love,

Lisa

“He reached down from Heaven and rescued me; He drew me out of deep waters.. He delivered me from my powerful enemies, from those who hated me and were too strong for me. They attacked me at the moment when I was weakest, but the Lord upheld me.  He led me to a place of safety.  He rescued me because He delights in me..”

Psalm 18: 18-19

Thank You, Jesus…

“I lay down and slept, I woke up in safety, for the Lord was watching over me..”

Psalm 3:5

He cares.  He really really cares.  He loves you, and He is watching over you…

How I pray You feel His loving embrace.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Good Morning, and thank You for another new day.

As I come before You, I am in awe of Your great love.  Thank You for reminding me I am not alone. That You are watching over me is such a great joy. Your goodness wraps me like a warm blanket and gives me such sweet comfort, and for that I am so very thankful.

Thank You for the beauty of Your love, and the comfort of your presence…

I need You…

Today as I set out, may I remember You are near.. that You care, and You are the source of my joy…

May I be a little more like You everyday…

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Live in Love,

Lisa

“But you, O Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts my head high..”

Psalm 3:3

I love You, Jesus…

“Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders, and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance  the race marked out for us. 

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God, consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart… “

Hebrews 12:1-3

As we come before You, Dear Jesus, fixing my eyes on You the author and perfecter of my faith, how thankful I am You have chosen me to be a witness of Your love…

Help me to throw off the things that are hindering me, the sin that so easily entangles my heart and trips me up…

I lay down my sin, my broken yesterdays, and pray for Your cleansing and grace.  Please Dear, Lord, give me the strength to not turn back, but instead move forward in hope and healing…

For yesterday is gone and Today is a new day.. Help me to live in the light of what is good.  What is right; and what is pleasing to You…

“Let the past rest, but let is rest in the sweet embrace of Christ..”

Oswald Chambers

Thank You for Your generous forgiveness.. Your gentle nudges.. and Your mighty right hand of strength…

“The Lord gives strength to His people, the Lord blesses His people with peace..”

Psalm 29:30

How thankful I am that I do not have to do life alone, that You are with me all the days of my life…

You are my goodness and hope and I love You.

“Surely goodness and love shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Psalm 23

Happy New Year, Dear Friend…

Live in Love,

Lisa

“Leave the broken, irreversible past in His hands, and step out into the invincible future with Him”

Oswald Chambers; My upmost for His Highest

“The Lord frees the prisoners.  The Lord opens the eyes of the blind.  The Lord lifts the burdens of those bent beneath their loads.  The Lord loves the righteous..”

Psalm 146:7-8

Lord, How Great You Are…

“He heals the brokenhearted, binding up their wounds.  He counts the stars and calls them all by name.  How great is our Lord!  His power is absolute!  His understanding is beyond comprehension!”

Psalm 147:3

Dear Lord, Oh, how I need You… You know me better than I know myself. Your understanding is beyond comprehension…

  Reveal in me the things that are keeping me from trusting You with all of my heart.. The things that I need to bring out of my thoughts, and lay on the altar…

The things that are keeping me from fully living in the light of Your  love and care…

How I thank You, Dear Lord, that You are healing my broken heart.  That You are, at this very minute, binding my wounds by Your mighty love and amazing grace. How I praise You that Your love and understanding of all that I am covers me, and gives me life…

 How  beautiful that is!  I lay my heart in Your hands, once again, giving You all glory, honor, and praise…

Thank You for Your amazing faithfulness, especially in my weakness…

I love You so so much,

In Jesus Name, I pray,

Amen

Live in Love,

Lisa

“Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me, But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you; for My power is made perfect in weakness.  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that God’s power will rest on me.  That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in we in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in my difficulties.  For when I am weak than I am strong..”

2 Corinthians 12:8-10

“Rather, the Lord’s delight is in those who honor Him, those who put their hope in His unfailing love…”

Psalm 147:11

I put my hope in Your unfailing love, Oh Lord, My God…

Sometimes we just need the strength to do the next logical thing…

The dishes, a shower… a walk!  Anything to keep moving!

Have you been there?

During the Christmas Season feelings can overtake our hearts, pain and sadness from past hurts can creep in, fears about what’s to come, guilt about what has been..

Something about the serene feeling of the Holidays can trigger things we haven’t thought about in years…

How I pray that we would have the strength to keep those doors closed.  Trusting that what’s done is done, and God is guiding us to look ahead..

Let’s trust Him with our whole life..

Knowing and believing He has great plans to prosper and not to harm us..

“For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper and not to harm you.  Plans to give you a hope and a future..”

Romans 8:28

He has covered our past with His love,  sealed our hearts with His  grace; and is leading us down new roads of tomorrow…

“The Lord will work His plans out for my life, for Your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever.. Don’t abandon me, for you made me..”

Psalm 138:8

Dear Heavenly Father, How I need Your presence today.. covering my sadness and shinning bright Your light of hope.. goodness.. and joy…

Cleanse me, O Lord, of what has been, and open my eyes to Your wondrous hope and loving comfort that I would be excited about  my new tomorrows..

You are my strength.  My hope.  And I trust in You…

“When I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me the strength I need..”

Psalm 138:3

Help me live in love this new day!

In Jesus Name,

Name,

Amen

Love to you,

Lisa

” But let all who take refuge in You be glad…”

Psalm 5:11

If you just can’t fight the fiery arrows being shot your way, If your heart has given all that it can…

 Sometimes, you just need to take refuge…

“But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy.  Spread your protection over them, that those who love Your name may rejoice in You.  For surely, Oh Lord You bless the righteous; You surround them with Your favor as with a shield..”

Psalm 5:11-12

Good Morning, Dear Heavenly Father… How I praise and love You.  As I come before You this new day, I surrender my heart and all of my fears…

I so gladly come before You this morning singing of your joy and thanking You for Your great protection around me… thank You for your blessings and favor that surround my heart and shield my mind…

Under Your loving wings of protection; and surrounded by your love… That is my happy place…

Thank You for today…

In Jesus Name,

Amen

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him…”

1 Corinthians 2:9b

“I know the things you do.  I have seen your hard work, and your patient endurance.  I know you don’t tolerate evil people.  You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are liars.  You have patiently suffered for me without quitting.  But I have this complaint against you.  You don’t love me, or each other as you did at first… Look how far you have fallen from Your first love…”

Revelation 2:2

Have you ever felt like this?  Numb.  Tired.  Wanting so very much to regain the spirit of love you used to have?

It’s a season for sure, or at least I have said that to myself…

Sometimes the harder we fight for what is true.  What is right, and good, and praiseworthy; the more exhausted we become.  Without even knowing it, our passion turns from God’s tender love and compassion to a fight for what is right…

Have you ever been there?

When that fight starts to push and nudge at our hearts, it is tempting to be drawn in.  But don’t.

It’s okay to walk away.  To turn our back on the madness, and run straight into our Saviors arms..

When we release the fight, yet live in love, we turn the power over and place it where it belongs..

In God’s hands…

Sometimes, when we think we are fighting  the good fight,  we are loosing our identity and love for God.. Our first love… it is time to walk away..

Loving God with all of our hearts is; and always will be, the greatest commandment of all…

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your souls, and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment..”

Matt 22:37

And when we are suffering with that, you can be sure we are suffering with the second..

“Love your neighbor as yourself…”

Matt 22:39

Dear Heavenly Father, Good Morning… How I love and praise You for the strength in these truths…

That You see the things we do.. our hard work, our faithfulness and loyalty.. You see our hearts, and the reasons we sometimes challenge what we see.   You have blessed us with love, mercy and wisdom all for Your glory; and our peace which is hidden in You…

Thank You for this passionate truth..

“I have this complaint against you.  You don’t love me or each other as you did at first!  How far you have fallen from your first love…”

Revelation 2:4

How I pray you would not have this complaint against me..

Help me to regain my first love; to be still in Your presence, and filled by Your grace…

May my heart be drawn back into Your Courts where it is safe.  Beautiful.  And full of Your loving presence… Give me the strength to keep You first, and close the door on those things that are pulling me away from the quietness of Your presence…

I pray this In Jesus, Holy Name,

Amen

Live in Love,

Lisa

“Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me..”

Psalm 51:12

“The Lord is my Shepard, I shall not be in want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.  He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for You are with me; Your rod and your staff they comfort me.  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.  You anoint my head with oil. my cup overflows.  Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever..”

Psalm 23:1-3