Without Care!

Promise of the Day:
"And it shall come to pass in the day that
the Lord shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear,..."
(Isaiah 14:3)

Prayer:
To know You, Lord, is to love You and perfect love casts out fear. You are love! Love is one of Your attributes; it is an essential part of You. It is an expression of part of who Your are! You are Holy; You are just, You are truth, and You are Love. When I am enveloped in Your love, I know that nothing can harm me. No man can touch my soul. Martin Luther said:

The body they may kill;

God's truth abideth still,

His kingdom is forever.

So to know You is to cast out all fear, and thereby be without care or worry. I will have no fear of the future. As we are nearing the beginning of a new year, I know You will care for me. I am strong in Your love. Amen

Trust

Promise of the Day:
"Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him..."
(Psalm 37:5)

Prayer:
'Trust' is a big word, Lord. Trust is the language of the heart. It is a moment of putting my hand in Yours and letting You lead the way. It is the actual act of my leaning over on You in faith and thereby being at peace and rest. Even when I am unable to see around the bend in the road, Lord, I will 'trust' in You and not be afraid. You have said Your thoughts of me are for peace, and I know I am safe with You. In You I will put my Trust.

Trust and rest when all around thee

Puts thy faith to sorest test;

Let no fear or foe confound thee,

Wait for God and trust and rest.

(unknown)

Amen

My Counselor

Promise of the Day:
For the Lord gives wisdom,
and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
(Proverbs 2:6)

Prayer:
Lord, I love reading Proverbs and how it tells me about wisdom. In the 8th chapter especially Wisdom is personified. Proverbs 8:12 states "I, Wisdom, dwell with Prudence...the fear of the Lord is to hate evil." And this reminds me of Job 28:28: "the fear of the Lord, that is Wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding." You are the one who gives wisdom, Lord. You tell me if I lack wisdom just to ask of God, and through the Holy Spirit I will receive Wisdom. Thank You for counseling me with Your wisdom. You are my Way, my Truth, and my Life...and my Wisdom! Amen

Elohim, Creator

Promise of the Day:
And God saw everything that he had made,
and, behold, it was very good.
(Genesis 1:31)

Prayer:
Lord, the term "Elohim" in English is translated 'God'. In Genesis 2:4 we see the words Jehovah Elohim, or 'Lord God'. You are my Lord God! The name 'Elohim' is actually a plural noun in form, which points to the triune God, yet it is singular in its meaning suggesting Your Unity as One God. You are the Great Three in One. When You spoke, the whole world trembled, and at your command all was complete! You are the Great and Awesome God who said "let US make man in OUR image." Jehovah Elohim, I want my life to always be a reflection of Your image! Amen

Out in the Fields

Promise of the Day:
And Isaac went out to meditate
in the field at the eventide.
(Genesis 24:63)

Prayer:
Dearest Lord, There is no time more profitably spent than that which is spent with you in quiet musing, or talking with You. It is important to be often and alone with You. Isaac went into the field. I have a time early in the morning usually before daylight, while all is still quiet. It is a time for renewal of my soul. It is a time when I learn what You have told us in Your Word. It is the time of reflection and setting new goals. It is the time when You lead me beside still waters, and prepare me for the future, whatever it may bring. And then I can leave my 'field' and cares behind and face a new day with Joy. I don't know who wrote this little thought, but it fits here:

The little cares that fretted me,

I lost them yesterday,

Out in the fields with God.

A walk through the fields, a saunter through a meadow, or a quiet time beside the fire early in the morning, will purge me and give me new joy & hope. Amen

The Gift of God

Promise of the Day:
God has given us eternal life,
and this life is in His Son. (I John 5:11)

Prayer:
Lord, My Savior,
You died for me that I might have life, and this life through You can be abundant! You did not have Your life taken from You, You gave it so that I will never die. As it states in John 10:18, "No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. ..." Now as we come to this Christmas season, we think of the miracle of Your birth, yet it was the Christ of the Cross that brings us life and redemption. There is a song I've sung in the past that says 'the babe in the manger could never have done the work of His God on High...' but it is the Christ of the Cross that gives us the gift of life. It is this life and this gift that keeps on giving. Amen

My Goal is God

Promise of the Day:
Ye servants of the Lord, which by night stand in the house of the Lord.
The Lord that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion.
(Psalm 134:1,3)

Prayer:
When I come to a stumbling block in the road, or cannot see around the bend; when there is darkness all around and winter of my life is upon me, then I will lift up my hands to You and Praise Your name, O Lord! In reading the book of Job, I see that though he groans as his outward man is decaying, he will not say one word against You. He says even if You 'slay him' he will trust in You. My goal is You, Lord. No matter what is in the way, my head is bent as I press on toward You until I reach Glory!

My goal is God Himself, not joy, not peace,

Nor even blessing, but Himself, my God;

'Tis His to lead me there, not mine, but His--

"At any cost, dear Lord, by any road!"

(unknown)

Amen