Last night I was beat; absolutely exhausted.
It wasn’t that it had been a bad day by any means.
there just seemed to be a lot going on.
So many threads to think about and consider,
countless details to sift and sort,
layer upon layer upon layer;
a whole stack of things that quite simply put
operate and exist outside my purview.
Before closing my eyes to slip off into sleep
I fired up my phone to read
YouVersion’s Verse of the Day.
“You are worthy, O LORD our GOD,
to receive glory and honor and power.
For You created all things, and they exist
because You created what You pleased.”
Revelation 4:11 NLT
I was glad for the Peace that settled,
for the Embrace that held me tight,
for the Quiet Reassurance of both what was
and what wasn’t my responsibility.
“Thank You, GOD, for being so good to me!”
My sleep was so sweet!
This morning I rise to my morning routine,
grateful for the night before and thankful to be
waking up rejuvenated. I’m curious and decide to revisit
the previous YouVersion Verses of the Day
and end up going back to February 15th.
Why the fifteenth?
I really can’t say.
But what I discover in doing so, surprises me.
I chuckle a bit and shake my head,
because it really shouldn’t.
LORD, I love Your approach.
How You reach into the every day
with powerful words that stay put.
You place them just so and then wait
with such patient anticipation.
I can imagine Your joy because
You see the work done;
The Moment of the Big Reveal!
At just the right time You’ll shine
Your special light; connect the dots
that spoke so loud, yet oftentimes
appeared to be somewhat random.
Oh, the worship and awe
that floods my soul and takes over,
Filling my heart, the room where I sit,
spilling out and over and into everything!
I feel compelled to get out of my chair
and go outside and gaze up at the stars.
I identify with Abraham!
You’ve suddenly, and simultaneously,
become so ever so small
yet so very big!
How do I share of this?
How will it translate?!
All I can do is walk, repeat and speak
exactly the way that it’s been laid out for me
and placed dead center in the palm of my hand!
I leave all the moving parts to You, LORD!
You work out the plug and play!
“And then He (Jesus) told them (His disciples),
”Go into all the world and preach the Good News
to everyone.”
Mark 16:15 NLT
Live the Life! Preach!
“Dear friend,
don’t let any bad example influence you.
Follow only what is good. Remember that
those who do good prove that they are
God’s children, and those who do evil
prove that they do not know God.”
3 John1:11 NLT
Do good to other people, no matter how they act!
And when I’m not as I suppose…
“Each time He said, “My grace is all you need.
My power works best in weakness.” So now I
am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that
the power of Christ can work through me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT
Above all remember Who’s on the throne!
“Be still, and know that I am GOD!
I will be honored by every nation!
I will be honored throughout the world!”
Psalm 46:10 NLT
His words stand forever and ever!
He doesn’t just make things up!
“I have told you all this so that you may have
peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials
and sorrows. But take heart, because I have
overcome the world!”
John 16:33 NLT
I’m keeping my eyes and ears and heart open to
The Good Shepherd!
“Then you will experience GOD’s peace,
which exceeds anything we can understand.
His peace will guard your hearts and minds
as you live in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:7 NLT
His eyes never miss a thing!
“Turn away from evil and do good!
Search for peace, and work to maintain it!”
Psalms 34:14 NLT
Laying down my rights, my wrongs,
my preferences and opinions,
my reputation and even my defense,
paves the way for The Great Exchange!
“I am leaving you with a gift —
peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give
is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be
troubled or afraid.”
John 14:27 NLT
Eyes off me, head up, and face forward!
No waffling about, be firm in my step!
Courageous and confident!
“For the whole law can be summed up in this one command:
”Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Galatians 5:14 NLT
Be on the lookout to help meet the needs of others!
“If you help the poor, you are lending to the LORD —
and He will repay you!”
Proverbs 19:17 NLT
I’m meant to share everything I now possess!
“But as for me, I will sing about Your power.
Each morning I will sing with joy about Your
unfailing love. For you have been my refuge,
a place of safety when I am in distress.”
Psalms 59:16 NLT
Phrases like, I C U, Check Your Own Septic,
Holy Temple, and The Dove
have taken on new meaning!
“You are worthy, O LORD our GOD,
to receive glory and honor and power.
For You created all things, and they exist
because you created what you pleased.”
Revelation 4:11 NLT
The day is here now and indeed even coming
when I will gladly lay down every crown
to hear You say, “Well done,
My good and faithful servant.”
“After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count,
from every nation and tribe and people and language,
standing in front of the throne and before that Lamb.
They were clothed in white robes and held palm
branches in their hands. And they were shouting
with a great roar, “Salvation comes from our GOD
Who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!”
Revelation 7:9-10 NLT
ALMIGHTY GOD,
In light of Your powerful Words
flowing in and thru and all around us,
whether we are cognitively aware or not,
You faithfully continue Your Most
Excellent and Purposeful work!
Thank You for calling us out of dead works
and into our prayer closets!
Things hidden from our sight
are meant to be revealed
by You at the proper time
and will result in the Highest Praise
of Your Glory!
Nudge us out of our comfort zones!
Give us a heart for the unsaved
and a tender compassion towards
our dear brothers and sisters
of the faith!
Cause Your Light shine in the streets!
Make swift the Gospel on our feet!
You have fashioned new clothes for us to wear!
You’ve placed just what we need in our hands!
We are covered by the ‘Bow of Your fame
and Your promise!
Help us walk out the reason You came!
May we pay it forward!
By the power of Your might
our operating systems can change,
so we ask these thing in the name of Jesus!
“These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe:
They will cast out demons in My name, and they will speak
in new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with
safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them.
They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they
will be healed.”
Mark 16:17-18 NLT
It fills our hearts with much wonder and joy
to watch as You bring this forth!
“For the LORD your GOD is living among you.
He is a mighty Savior. He will take delight in you
with gladness. With His love, He will calm all your fears.
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”
Zephaniah 3:17 NLT
Amen!