Journal for June 30…His Words

6:55 AM Sunny 75

Thank You, Father, for the return of my journal/notebook. I have not prayed any less this past week, but it helps me to stay "on task" and keep my thoughts together when I write, or journal. Thank You, for so much…my salvation (which still defies understanding); the family you gave me and how blessed I am; my ministry - actually using one like me for Your purposes (Your grace runs deeps for Your people); my health, which I will never take for granted. Troubles come -- You promised they would -- but my future is You and the New Heaven and New Earth! Praise belongs to You. You are the One and Only Creator, Sustainer, Savior, and Sovereign. Period. One day You will bring about a just conclusion to this mess we've made.

Proverbs 30

Lord, give me neither poverty or wealth v8. All I need is enough to live moderately and serve You. Too much wealth and I could be consumed with managing it, or even put more confidence in my resources than in Your resources. Don't give me too much or too little. I already have more than I need to serve You. May the resources and possessions I have be tools for Your service.

The Words that come from You are pure, unlike the words of men v5, and it isn't necessary to add to Your words v6. Your Word, along with the Spirit's light, speaks for itself. When You say something we don't need to clarify it; make it palatable; or fit it into our fallen culture. Your Word: it is what it is! For this I give You praise and thanksgiving. Keep me into Your Word and help me, please help me, to live according to Your Word. I'm the first to tell You it's not easy. Coming out of the world I have tendencies that disappoint You and disgust me. You are not surprised because You know what I am and where I came from. I am only dust. But I'm dust that You created, continue to love and have saved for all time and eternity. Thank You for revealing all of this through Your Words that are pure.

In the Name of Jesus Christ, the crucified and risen Son of God, and in the power of His blood, I ask for a hedge of protection around myself, my family, and my flock.

Give me the mind of Christ today; protect my heart and affections; help me recall and obey Your truth (You are the Truth); give me opportunity to share something of Your goodness with someone today who needs to know Your grace; increase my faith and help me recall and appropriate Your Word. This is my armor…You are my armor: v7 You are a shield to those who take refuge in You.

Lord Jesus, be glorified today and help me be second.

Journal for June 21st

7:23 AM Raining!
The rain, Lord, is needed so much…but this is day 2 of our Bible Club effort. Oh well, we'll take the rain and leave the rest to You.

You are to be glorified in the world today, Father, whether the wicked like it or not. You give breath and life to everyone, yet rebellion and sin, selfishness and greed have the day … for now. One day every knee will bow and confess that You are the Lord. You have always been God, You are God now, and You will be God forever. Please accept my feeble praise and thanks today.

Psalm 141
Lord, I have nothing of value to offer You except what You have given to me. But I ask, I desire, that my prayers come before You and satisfy You like incense and my they please You v2. All day long I pray and think in Your presence, but unpleasing and worldly thoughts push their way in. Sort through it all and accept my willful prayers to You as an offering of sacrifice and praise. Thank You for allowing me, mortal that I am, to come into Your presence.

Lord, I ask that You help me guard my mouth -- that's a tall order, seeing who's mouth it is LOL. Teach me to watch my words v3. Not only that, Lord Jesus, help me watch my heart! Keep my heart from wicked things and from performing reckless acts v4.

Lord, this world has many wicked men and women that harm others. Some are leaders of nations, some of gangs, some are in charge of their family that they abuse, or in charge of some illegal enterprise. Some, Lord, don't just want personal power or wealth, but are only content on killing their perceived enemies. There are those, as You know, that want to eliminate Israel, take down the United States, and enforce the godless rules of Islam. Is this even worse than Nazism ever was? Both wanted the eliminate of Jews…Your chosen people. So my prayer, Lord, is against the wicked of the world v5, and for the protection of Your people Israel. Give the U.S. a righteous backbone again in the world. We are about to see public expressions of faith in You being eradicated from our culture. Come, Lord Jesus, come.

Your people, Your church, Your called out ones, need Your Spirit today, Lord. We need a fresh moving of Your Spirit…a new filling. The world is still going to race away from You and toward destruction, but may the Gospel be heralded around the world.

My eyes look to You, Lord God. I seek refuge in You. Do not let me die v6. Protect me and let the wicked fall into their own nets (now I speak of those closer to home who undermine the church). Be glorified in my life even though I don't give You much to work with.

The fact is, and I believe this, that You love me and gave Your Son for me. I don't understand it, but I believe it. I count on it! Thank You for my salvation, my family, my ministry, my health, and for my part in the New Heaven and New Earth.

Just recalled this old song: "Jesus is all the world to me: my life, my heart, my all. He gives me strength from day to day, without Him I would fall. When I am sad to Him I go; no other One could love me so. When I am sad, he makes me glad…He's my friend."
Be Lord today. I am second.

9:38 AM Rain stopped, the sun is out
Thank You, Lord, for letting me finally get this blog posted. It took some doing.
Right now the Bible Camp is in full swing. I pray that a bunch of kids will come, in spite of the dampness. Touch the hearts of the little ones our team will minister to today. Fill the hearts of those that are ministering in Your Name.

Journal for June 20…Discouragers

Psalm 120

To You, Father, and to You alone should be all the praise and adoration of all time. Creation shouts Your glory and genius. The way of salvation - the way You devised - also points to Your genius, but also to Your kindness, mercy, grace, patience and love. I want to praise You, the One that lives in unapproachable light, for letting the light of the Gospel into my life; and for letting Jesus Christ, the Light of the world, shine in my heart.

Lord, You know there are people that stir up trouble v2; often for no apparent reason. Or, they take what might be a legitimate concern and blow it out of proportion to cause trouble and conflict. Why do they do that? What is the benefit? It rarely propels them to a place of prominence, but only brings others down -- and discourages still others. Even among believers there are "trouble-makers" and I could never understand why. It must be their old nature that is in charge. They do some of the same things a worldling would do. Things like try to trap someone in a fault v5. maybe it's best for them to separate from the rest, from the fellowship v11. There are so many believers that need to grow and mature without the interference of "discouragers" in their path.

Lord Jesus, You know me so well, and yet You "counted me faithful" and put me into the ministry (it's still a mystery to me, but so much of what You do defies my logic!). You, Lord, are my source of joy and strength. Thank You for Your salvation, Your Word, and Your very presence in my life.

As we start our "mission trip" today, please overshadow the whole endeavor. Bring children and adults to this event. Bless the Episcopal Church that is hosting the Bible Camp and protect all our workers and helpers…from our church and theirs. May this be a "God thing" not our thing.

I ask You, in the Name of Jesus Christ and the power of His precious blood, that You would put a hedge of protection around my family: Dawn, Darin, Alexis, Curtis and Denise, and my mother. Only Your divine protection will do, Lord, in this very hostile world. We'll all be home soon enough, but until then we need Your protection. I ask the same for my church family…newer Christians and their families, and those that have been believers a longer time. All of us need your protection. Put into their hearts a hunger for Your Word and a love for Your presence.

May we overcome any "discouragers" today, Lord, and lean completely on You. Please don't let me become a "discourager" to anyone today, Lord. I want to be an "encourager". You are the Lord of hosts and should be the Lord of us all. You be the Lord, and let me be second.

Journal for June 17th…We need a Redeemer!

7:43 AM 81 & overcast

Father, I enter Your presence this morning in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am so grateful to You that there was a time that You saved me, redeemed me, and took me in. I have nothing to offer You besides what You have given me to start with, namely the goodness and merits of Jesus Himself. You have redeemed me with the price You paid.

Psalm 107

Let the people give thanks to the Lord for His faithful love and His wonderful works for the whole human race! v8,15,21,31 Yes, the whole human race, not just Your people enjoy so many of Your benefits. Lord, You are the world's greatest Lifeguard. It's recounted in this passage You've given me today. You've rescued people from wandering and lostness v4; from darkness and gloom (and there's all kinds of darkness and gloom) v15; from afflictions of all kinds v17; from tempests and storms of life v24,25; from all kinds of things. For Your constant involvement, caring and rescues -- especially in my own life -- I give You thanks and praise Your Name! You have redeemed me.

But I am impressed to pray for the Church around the world, and for the United States, when I hear that You turn rivers into deserts and fruitful land into salty wasteland v33,34. Oh, Lord, that is an apt description of the Church in America, and of America itself. We were a river and a fruitful land, but we've become a spiritual desert and wasteland. You even cause "nobles", the leaders among us, to wander in trackless wastelands v40 (sounds like our government; but also sounds like recognized, big-name religious leaders, too).

Please, Father, forgive our sins, our pride, our arrogance, and self-centeredness. This has happened because "of the wickedness of its inhabitants." v34 It can't be more clear than that!

No matter where we find ourselves today, I know You can turn a desert into a pool of water, and dry land into springs of water v35. You can bless us and we can multiply again v38. Forgive me, forgive us all, for our sins and wanderings away from You. Refresh us again. Make fruitful and strong again. You can do it. We need You to redeem us.

Lord Jesus, I want to be second and give You the preeminence in all things. There are decisions I will need to make, and wisdom I will need to demonstrate. I will need Your guidance and insight. Thank You for the promise of Your involvement in my life and the world. Thank You for wisdom…for Your Word! A whole day can turn into one of those spiritual wastelands when I neglect Your Word.

I serve a risen Savior, He's in the world today; I know that He is living whatever men may say; I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer; and just the time I need Him, He's always near! He lives! He lives! Christ Jesus lives today - He walks with me, and talks with me along life's narrow way….

Be first, Lord. I am second.

Journal for June 16th…the Breach

7:00 AM 79 & Sunny

My Father in Heaven, I come before You in the Name of Jesus, Your one and only Son. I have no merit of my own and don't pretend to own access to Your throne…except that I have believed in Jesus Christ as my Savior; I acknowledge my sinfulness and lostness apart from Him, and that He died and rose again. Nothing I have compares to that! Thank You, Lord, for allowing me to talk with You today. Your love for me is astounding.

I have thoughts, and concerns, and questions to bring before You today. Some will come in the form of mental musings -- just thoughts and ideas; others will come in the form of verbal and heartfelt prayers; others will be instantaneous praises and requests. Thank You, Father, in advance for being there, listening, and caring.

I want to praise You for being there, for being on Your throne, and for being in control. We have a lot of hurts, disappointments, and disasters here on earth. Friends and church members who are walking today in the valley of the shadow of death; others that are facing unexpected, but difficult conflicts; several are confronted by a marriage in crisis; and others have decisions to make. But You are over it all. Nothing slips by You. What I ask You for, is not so much an absence of these things, but Your grace and almighty assistance in and through these circumstances. O God, we need grace today. We need clarity today. We need YOU today.

Psalm 106

Awesome passage of Scripture, Lord. What a true reflection of our situation today. The rebellions and sins of Israel may be the story line, but it reflects on us -- the principles are the same. Lord, don't always give us what we ask for then send wasting diseases and pestilences v14,15. We ask for some awfully selfish and short-sighted things. Over and over again, Lord, You have forgiven us, saved us, redeemed us v10, and yet our worldliness continues. We adopt the ways of the ungodly v35 and expect Your blessings? We sacrifice our sons and daughters to demons on the altar of the world… we go along to get along … but lose our children in the process. The one phrase, Lord, that stands out (if I had to choose just one) is that "they were beaten down by their sin." That describes the world; it describes most Christians! Beaten down by their own sin. It takes a toll, Lord.

But You have pointed out my responsibility in this Psalm. You would have destroyed them--if Moses, Your chosen one had not stood before You in the breach to turn Your wrath away from destroying them v23. And again, v30, Phineas stood up and intervened, and the plague was stopped.

So this morning You said, "Darril, one of your responsibilities is to stand in the breach and intervene for my people. Pray for them. Get in the widening breach that has divided Me and those that are mine. Sin is beating them down. Pray for them…intercede. If you cannot do anything else, or feel helpless to give aid and comfort to them, pray for them. Come before me cleansed by the blood of Christ, and I will hear you on their behalf."

Lord, I will pray. I am often helpless and feel so inadequate in the conflicts and adversities that others face. But I will pray. First, forgive my sins. Cleanse me by the blood of Christ and in the Name of my wonderful Savior, Jesus the Messiah.

Please have the preeminence, and help me, Lord, to be second. 7:42 AM

Journal for June 15th…God’s on the Throne

7:05 AM 78 & Sunny

Glorious day, Lord! Only because You are on Your throne and everything is headed exactly where You intend for it to go. Everyone's talking about economic depression ahead; or increased natural disasters; or wars and rebellions on the rise; or even drought and pestilences and disease increasing. But the thing is, You are on Your throne!

"I never promised that you'd have silver or gold; or that you'd never feel the fire or shiver in the cold; but I did say you'd never walk alone; and I did say, 'don't make this world your home.'"

There is another place where I belong … where my true home is. I get too comfortable here sometimes, Lord. Maybe the distresses of this world serve a two-fold purpose: one is judgment on the world for its rebellion and sin; the other is to give believers like me a greater longing for the New Earth and Heaven.

Thank You, Lord, for saving my soul; thank You, Lord, for making me whole; thank You, Lord, for giving to me Your great salvation so rich and free.

Psalm 105

I give You thanks, Lord, and call on Your Name -- for help, direction, peace, salvation. You say to proclaim Your deeds among the people v1, and I think that in tough times like we're facing, that's a good thing. Your works are wonderful v2, starting with salvation from sin; starting with the payment Jesus made for me on the cross! My heart does rejoice today, Lord, and I want to seek You and see You.

And in light of all that's happening in the world, I must remember that Your judgments govern the whole earth. You're right-smack-dab in the middle of everything that's taking place!

I wish our president understood this: v8-11…You, God, forever remember Your covenant and the promise You made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob: "I will give the land of Canaan (Palestine) to you as your inherited portion." That's a forever promise, and forever means and includes now! Lord, may we support Your people. Bring the land of Israel and the precious Jewish people back to You. Bless the Jews that trust in Your Messiah.

Stay on Your throne and rule. No matter what the cost, or difficulty, or misery we may experience in this fallen world, You will win. I have already won because of Jesus and His love for me; His death for me; His resurrection for me; the promise of His return for me. You are first! I am second!

Journal for June 14th…Care

6:57 AM

Psalm 104

Lord, I come to You this morning in adoration of Your power and creative genius. Everything in the world was created by You. Not just the animals and sea creatures but the cycles within which they live and the characteristics of their nature. And they only eat because You open Your hand to them and provide their food v28. May Your glory endure forever v31!

There's great comfort in knowing that You, Father, established the earth on its foundations v5, and it will never be shaken. At least not until You shake it…not until You say it's time to end the sin, the misery, the rebellion. I tell You this with gratitude, for I was a rebel. I still have those tendencies in me, but I am claiming, and depending on, Your salvation through Jesus. Just like the creatures of nature who only have what comes from Your opened hand, I, too, wait for the salvation that comes completely from Your hand.

It is awesome and wonderful to have a personal relationship with You. Thank You Jesus, Lord of all, Lamb of God, Savior to believers…You died in my place -- for no other reason but love -- and rose from the dead. All this was for me. I wish my life reflected the appropriate response of obedience and praise.

Things change, Lord. Circumstances continually change and the world we live in, this fallen world, is not dependable. Just when we think things are settled down and we can go about our business/ministry in peace, something flares up to change our course and garner our attention. In the midst of changing situations, Lord, I pray for Your wisdom and guidance. Show me Your way. Let me live for You or kill me if You must, but be glorified in the choice You make for me.

I am weak but You are strong; Jesus keep me from all wrong; I'll be satisfied as long as I walk, let me walk close to You. Just a closer walk with You.

Show me Your way, that I may walk with You; Show me Your way, that I may talk with You.

Be glorified in this fallen world today, Lord. I am second.

In the Name of Jesus, the risen Son of God, I ask for a strong hedge protection around the churches today, Lord. They need Your protection and power. Your Bride has been through a lot. I also, prayer for a hedge around my family -- even as I thank You for my wife, children, parents and my whole family. But we need Your divine protection and care.

Lord, I lift up our president and all the leaders in our government. Somehow, someway, help them respond to Your wisdom and do what is right, not just what is politically expedient. What we need is a spiritual awakening! Maybe one more time before allow the world to have more tribulation. The world is a mess, but there are Christians in the midst of it -- in America, the middle-east, China, and everywhere else. Hold and strengthen Your people wherever they live, serve, and suffer today. One day we'll all be home together, but for now, Your church needs Your encouragement and care.

Journal for June 13th…Dust

7:13 AM

Psalm 103

Okay, Lord, I think this has become my new "favorite" Psalm. It's all about praise and Your goodness, and about my sin and Your forgiveness. Just awesome and wonderful!

To You, Father, I offer praise…from my heart, from my soul. I praise Your holy Name and all that You are. How easily I forget Your benefits -- I take Your benefits and You for granted way too much. Anything of value and praise that I have come from You.

Lord, I know that You forgive all my sin. That alone is too great for my mind to understand. It is only up to me to confess, repent, and believe how thorough Your forgiveness is. As I compare v3 with 10-14 I want to thank You forever. I expect that in Heaven I will be able to tell You over and over, from a pure heart (finally) how grateful I am for Your salvation. You do not deal with me as my sins deserve! (v10) If You repaid me according to my offenses I'm be vaporized yesterday! But Your faithful love 11 is great toward me. I do respect Your law -- I don't always keep it -- but I respect Your law as the final standard.

I know You expect holiness, but I am just dust (v14)... You created me and allow me to live life my way. I am just dust… not created holy, but trying to obtain it (which is impossible apart from You). I am just dust… totally lost and hopeless without a Savior, an Advocate, a personal Messiah. So You became dust, too… remained holy in character and conduct. You became dust… in order to let me and my kind murder You.

From eternity to eternity You faithful love continues for me and all who believe (17). Your throne is established in Heaven forever. You are God. Period. Yet You are a good and compassionate Father. You, Lord God, are compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and full of faithful love toward me… only dust. It's amazing to even think about it.

You have the throne, but I have Your love and compassion. That's enough for me. My heart thanks You this morning. And I will thank You forever. I will praise You on this earth and on the New Earth face to face! Then I will truly be second!

Journal for June 11th…Redemption

8:01 AM

Revelation 8-11

Lord God, just so You know, I regret my sinfulness and turn to Jesus for salvation. He is the Lamb of God that was slain for my sins. What could have been catastrophic for me turned out to be forgiven, cleansed, and redeemed.

What amazes me, Lord, is that after all the world suffers and after all the clear evidence that judgment is upon them, many will not repent and turn to You. 9:20 "The rest of the people that were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands to stop worshiping demons and idols…that are not able to see, hear, or walk"…or save!!

Thank You, Lord, for the "seal" You will have on Your people in the days of tribulation -- the seal You have on believers now is the Holy Spirit Himself!

Millions killed by war, pestilence, and natural disaster, and yet most people go on living without You; rejecting You; fixed in their darkness and lostness. Even now humans produce survival movies that portray people as heroes, not sinners, and the earth as "home". And they falsely project a "survival of the fittest" mentality, as if life can just naturally continue toward a happier day after cataclysmic floods, earthquakes, and war.

Thank You, Lord, for Your salvation…for opening my eyes… for letting me believe and receive Your great redemption. May Jesus Christ be glorified. May I be second.

Journal for June 10th… Last days?

10:45 AM

Revelation 5

Just refreshing my memory, Lord, on world events in the last few years of history. A world leader, wars all over the place, economic upheaval, death for all kinds of reasons, natural disasters that kill millions and millions. But all the while I note several things. First, that God is the One who is in control. You not only allow the misery, but uses it as judgment upon the world. Second, the prayers of the saints are as incense in golden vessels to You. Third, the risen Lamb of God, the Lion of Judah, the One and Only Son of God is the One through whom the judgment comes. Oh that everyone knew Him, embraced Him, trusted Him now while there is time.

Father, it sounds as if today's world is racing toward this climax! At first it's sort of scary and unsettling; but then, by faith, I have to remember that I am safe with You. I am saved by You because of the shed blood of the Lamb. This may just bring on the New Earth much sooner. Suffering and persecution and misery only lasts for the night -- the night of this present darkness -- but Heaven and joy is forever.

Help me be a strong and positive force for my family; a strong and consistent encouragement to my flock. Thank You for the salvation I have in You. There is no other Name given among men by which we can be saved!

To God be the glory, great things He has done; so loved He the world (me) that He gave us His Son; but purer and higher and greater will be our wonder, our transport when Jesus we see!

Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer, may I thy consolations share; 'til from Mount Pisgah's lofty height, I view my home and take my flight. This robe of flesh I'll drop, and rise to seize the everlasting prize; and shout while passing through the air, "Farewell, farewell sweet hour of prayer."

Praise the Lord! The great and merciful Lord! Help me be second.

Journal for June 9th… a Vapor

8:50 AM

Psalm 39

Lord God…my wonderful Father in Heaven…What a clear reminder You have given me of my mortality. Every mortal man is a vapor v5, my life span is nothing in Your sight. This life is so transitory. The real life comes later, when You have made a New Heaven and a New Earth for Your children to enjoy. But now, in this life, deliver me from all my transgressions v8; the force of Your hand on me as You deal with my sin is heavy. Forgive me of my sins and release me, in the Name of Jesus Christ, from the horrible price of sin. I am just a foreigner on this earth, a so-journer v12. My future is with You. Help me to remember that. My future is with You, not in the possessions or accomplishments of this life. It's Your life, Your Son, Your plans that are my future. Praise be to God for His gift of Self and Son. Be glorified in this vapor today. I am second.

Journal for June 8th…Godliness

I Timothy 4:7-10

Striving for godliness.

Father, You are Almighty. Above all. The final say. The source of life. Light. You, Lord, will outlast all sinners, all rebels, all demons, and the consequences of sin.

Godliness is being holy, different. It's having the mindset on the lasting, spiritual things. Godliness is nurturing, caring for, and embracing the spirit, and not the body or temporal affairs. Godliness requires "striving" because it does not come naturally to me. Plus, I get distracted easily by the world and current issues at church and in circumstances. I want to be second, be godly. I can't say that I'm even close.

My failures, Lord, are no match for Your grace and mercy. The blood of Jesus, Your Son, has a complete and lasting cleansing affect on me. Not because of any merit of my own -- I certainly have nothing to bring to the table -- but because of Your love and mercy. It's 100% Your initiative. Thank You for my salvation. Thank You for all the little "salvations" you give me throughout my life and throughout my day: saving me from harm at times; saving me from the ill-will of others; and saving me from me and my sinful tendencies.

Lord, it appears that the world is facing a climatic event of some kind. The natural disasters alone are enough to scare the ordinary person. Hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and tsunamis, floods and fires are increasing in number and intensity…and weather predictions are looking bleak for hurricane season in the western hemisphere. Add to that the rebellions and upheavals in nations; the terrorist movement; the increasing hatred for Israel; and the moral failure of our own U.S. leaders all indicate something is going on.

Could we be going home soon? I pray my people are prepared for the challenge of living for Jesus in uncertain times, and excited about watching the hand of God move over the earth and affairs of men. Are the final pages of history being written? Is judgment coming to the earth? Will I stand strong no matter what?

Forgive my sins and help me be second. Cleanse me, Holy Spirit, with the Word and blood of Jesus. Help me shepherd my flock and prepare them to shine for You as the shadows deepen. I believe with all my heart that no matter what happens, with You, Lord Jesus, the best is always yet to come!

Journal for June 6th…Grace

6:58 AM

Psalm 6

Lord, I realize that I'm no more righteous than anyone else. Some sins may seem graver, or have harsher consequences (murder or rape vs. stealing a candy bar, for example), but dirty is dirty. It doesn't matter if a shirt is stained with mud or blood, it's still unusable. When set against the backdrop of Your law, I am as guilty as anyone else. So, please, do not rebuke me in Your anger v1, or discipline me in Your wrath. It's your grace, O Lord, that I appeal to. Be gracious to me v2, for I am weak. With all my heart I believe that Jesus died in my place and out of mercy, plain and simple mercy, extended salvation to me. For the plan of salvation -- for the gospel -- I give You praise and thanksgiving today. What an awesome God You are. How big and glorious and bright and wondrous You must be.

It is Your faithful love that I appeal to, Lord v4, for my rescue. I know there are things about my life that detract from Your purpose and glory, but as long as I'm alive there's always a chance that I can live for You, bring You glory and give You thanks v5.

The Lord has heard my plea for help and accepts my prayer v9… thank You, over and over again I say thank You.

Psalm 36

We think we are so self-sufficient and important. Our lives are just a vapor in the procession of history. But with You, Lord God, is life's fountain v9; in Your light, and only in Your light, will we see light. Spread Your faithful love, Lord, over those who know You… I am one of those. Only because of Your grace am I able to know the God that made me and then showed grace to me in the life, death, and resurrection of His great Son.

Be merciful and gracious today, Lord Jesus, to my family, my church flock, and my friends. As a matter of fact, be merciful to this nation (as You already have by letting us exist this long); help us be a beacon once again that sends the gospel out around the world. Somehow get a hold of our leaders and turn their heads away from their political egos and toward just doing the right things.

Be gracious today. Be gloried today. I really want to be second.

Journal for June 3rd…Do-overs

5:36 AM - Last day of school for this year.

Psalm 3

Lord, You are to be praised and glorified forever. You alone created and still sustain the whole world…that would include me. I am an unknown to the world but significant enough for You to give Your own Son to die for me.

As I read this Psalm and apply it to my life, I recall that through the years it has been those who should be my friends, my Christian allies, that have hurt me most and disappointed me most. Foes from the outside, from the darkness, are to be expected; it's the foes that should be living in unity, as You commanded, that cause the most alarm and harm. It's regrettable. The good news is that we'll have eternity in Heaven to recover, reconcile, and renew friendships! Eternity is a “do-over” opportunity.

You, Lord, are indeed a shield around me v3, for nothing gets through to me that doesn't get Your expressed permission. I lie down and sleep, and awaken again v5 because You let me have another day to serve You…another chance to get it right. Thank You, Lord, for all the "do-overs". My life is full of "do-overs".

Salvation belongs to the Lord, alright v8. The eternal salvation bought and paid for at the cross, and also the little "salvations" that occur throughout one's life, throughout one's day! The “do-overs”.

After all, all good things come from above. In ourselves and in this world darkness is the default condition; pain and suffering is the default experience; rebellion and selfishness is the default disposition. But then comes grace and mercy from a great God that loves us with an everlasting love. Wrong is exposed, light is introduced, and salvation is possible. Thank You, Father for the Light!

I pray for several students that I have tried to share the gospel with this year. They have heard now the truth about Jesus and salvation and forgiveness. Holy Spirit, whether I have done a good job or not, please do Your work in their hearts.

May Jesus be glorified today. I am second.

Journal for June 2…Judgment

5:36 AM

Psalm 2

Lord, I suppose there's a part of us that wants no restraints placed on us, even when those retraints are good for us. The sin in me, the natural darkness that tries to overcome Your light in me, wants no rules, no laws, no overseer. It's Your love for me that brings the necessary guidelines and limitations … and they're all for my own good! Thank You, Father, for revealing Yourself to me. I would have never found You otherwise. And, thank You for revealing Your Son to me. While the nations rebel and try to throw off what seems to be Your retraints, I am grateful for the kindness that gives me limitations. It's like with a child: how often do parents guide, correct, discipline and enforce rules that are designed to protect the child, and yet the child rebels against it?

Your anointed One, Jesus Christ, could suddenly appear and judge the nations at anytime. I fear the judgment, and yet I don't have to because of the cross. Judgment against me has already been executed against Jesus. There is no way to get a grasp on that kind of love.

Lord God, I give You praise for Your rightful rule -- for Your great and highest position over all creation…Your creation. What is amazing to me is the grace and mercy that accompanies that power and authority. You are the perfect balance of judgment and mercy!

In the Name of Your awesome Son, Jesus Christ, the crucified and risen One, and in the power of His shed blood, I ask You for a hedge of protection around my family and church -- around my sphere of relationships. Help us do battle until the victory is made clear to all.

I am grateful for my salvation; my family -- wife, kids, mom and dad (who introduced me to You); my health; my ministry; my church…and my good looks LOL (which You could take away in a flash!). Thank You for giving me repeated chances to serve another day.

Be the Lord today. My tendency is toward mistakes and failure. Help me be second.

Journal for June 1st…Happy

5:42 AM

A new month, to us, in which to serve and live. All I know is that You will be glorified one way or another. Father, You are glorified in Heaven by every being around You, and rightly so. You created everything that exists, and You provide the "life support" for all things living…including me! Of course, I have no merit of my own, no claims I can make of my exploits or holiness; everything I have is from You. Everything. And I thank You for all You have given me: salvation; life; family; ministry; health; Your Word; and so much more. You give life meaning, purpose and love.

Psalm 1

The contrast between the happy man and the wicked man is stark. And even though the differences seem muddled sometimes on earth, there is certainly another dimension, the spiritual one, that is at play. The happy man meditates on Your Word and grows -- You even see that he prospers--at least in spirit, and often in other ways. The wicked are never happy. I see them have their temporary moments of satisfaction when their evil deeds are done, but lasting, deep down in the soul happiness eludes them.

Thank You, Lord, for Your Word and honor of knowing You personally. Other than Your love for me -- which in itself is a mystery -- I can't think of any other reason for the Holy God to have anything to do with me…much less sacrificing Himself for my sins. Help show my gratitude by serving You. I am second.