Journal for 11/31…protection

5:38 AM

Wonderful Father! You love me with an everlasting love; Your kindness far exceeds anything I deserve; and Your mercy…well, Your mercy embraces me and holds me up.

Psalm 91

Where else can I go, Lord, in times of distress but to You. The world offers no solace, that's for sure. Even people that love and support me have limitations. But You, Lord, have my best interest in mind and the power to make the difference. My refuge is in You (2) and Your faithfulness is always a protective shield (4), even in difficult times.

Help me abide in You today, Lord Jesus, and Your Words abide in me. I want my life, like my prayers, to glorify You somehow.

Be Lord today… I am second.~

Journal for 10/28…be near

5:38 AM

Good morning, Father. You are always here no matter what. You created everything, including me, and oversee all that You have made. You never violate our freedom to choose and we've made some bad choices, Lord. The world is fallen because of people like me. Yet in Your grace and mercy You provided a way back…a way back to You. So, I thank You this morning for Your Son, Jesus Christ, who died and rose again for me…in my place. Forgive my sins in His Name, and help me to remain focused today on the things that matter. To that end, please fill me with Your Spirit and His wisdom.

Psalm 88

You are the God of my salvation, (1) and I must remember that when I call to You. If You would concern Yourself with my greatest need, certainly You would care about the lesser things, too. I am a man without strength (6), at least not much strength of my own. Sometimes I feel like You aren't there; that You don't care; that You've abandoned me…but I will still pray in morning (13) and all day long (9). And I have to tell You that sometimes I feel like darkness and discouragement is my only friend (18). But I will remember what You have already done for me on the cross, and that in the big picture of things, You love me, have plans for me, and want to abide in me. Encourage me today, Lord. Show me a sign (87:17).

"Praise God from Whom all blessings flow; praise Him all creatures here below; praise Him above Ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost." To God be the glory, great things He has done; so loved He the world that He gave us His Son!

He me have an undivided mind today, Lord (86:11). I am second!~

Journal for 10/27…interceding

5:28 AM

Father…Of all the powers and authorities in the world -- in the universe -- You are above them all. You supersede all others in power, glory, and grace. Your kindness is more than I deserve, but You love me and desire to be with me. So, Lord, abide with me today. Help me to have an undivided mind (Ps86.11).

Psalm 87

The old city of Zion, Lord, reminds us of the New City that is coming. You will make perfect all that is crooked; right all the wrongs; and make clean the whole world…no longer under the curse and no longer fallen. The Most High Himself will establish her (5).

The past is behind me. The present challenges me. But the future -- the future you have for me -- will last forever. It is a future that makes facing today's challenges worth the sacrifice and effort. Help me to please You today.

There is so much to thank You for, Father. First, for Your Son. Thank You for my Savior and Friend. I cannot imagine the sacrifice He paid for my sin. Love has no greater example than that. Thank You for my life, my family (my wife in particular), my parents who introduced me to You, my health, and the opportunity to serve You.

I pray today for the believers in Iran -- Youcef, in particular, who may be executed for not denying his faith in You. I pray for believers in China, Iraq, Somolia, Yemen, Egypt and other places where persecution is rampant…where it's open season on Christians. How will we live, or die, when that happens in the U.S.? Believers here are soft and indifferent…worldly. Give wisdom to the Christians that serve in the government. Help them make the hard decisions about economic and social and faith issues.

In my life, Lord, be glorified somehow today. I am second.~

Journal for 10/26…A servant’s prayer

5:37 AM

Master… I want it to be about You today. I want to be a servant, a helper, like You are. I want to glorify the Father like You did, and You still do. You said the Father is glorified if I bear fruit in my life and ministry. I can't do that alone. I have no power or ability that doesn't come from You. Your Spirit in me must do the work, so help me be a servant-vessel through whom He is able to bless others.

Psalm 86

This psalm is a simple one…a fitting prayer for my life today, Lord. Please listen to me and answer me, Lord, for I am needy in spirit. I have nothing, and can do nothing without You. Isn't that poverty, Lord…to be without something? I am nothing without You. Poor without You. Powerless without You. Even if I'm committed to being Your servant(2), Lord, I am fruitless without Your protection, grace (3), joy (4), and strength (16).

Here’s what I desire of You, Lord. First, I will praise You with my heart…I want You to be praised today (12); second, I want You to be honored by my life somehow (13); but I ask You for an undivided mind!(11) Teach me YOUR ways and help me be loyal to the One I serve (who served me by going to the cross).

Show me a sign (17) of Your goodness, Lord -- in my life, yes, but in and through my church, too.

Help me to glorify the Father, today. I am second.~

Journal for 10/25…it’s about Him

5:26 AM

Father, help me to focus on You today and not me, not my needs, not my desires. It's all about You, or should be. You are the center of my universe. You are light. You are life. You are love. Your glory is inconceivable by a mere mortal like me. Everything comes from You and is returning to You. You will deal with all things as You choose. Beside being the Creator and the Judge of all things…of me…You are also my Savior…

O the love that drew salvation's plan; O the love that brought it down to man; O the mighty gulf that God did span at Calvary! Mercy there was great and grace was free; pardon there was multiplied to me; there, my burdened heart found liberty at Calvary!

Psalm 85

Lord, You will provide what is good (12); but my focus, Lord should be on You, not Your provision. I don't want to look for Your benefits and blessings…I want to look for You! I want to know Christ, and the Father through Him. Fill me today with Your Spirit and forgive my sins. Help me see beyond myself and my circumstances to see You. My goal is know You and the power of Your resurrection (Phil 3:10). Focus: to know You.

Help me be second today.~

A Journal Portion for 10/24… I am a pilgrim

5:57 AM

Good morning, Father…there are good things and not so good things about this day. No matter what happens, though, I know You love me and that You have my best interest in mind. I must give You praise for Your overriding power and glory. The world is fallen and cursed because of me and people like me, but salvation and redemption come from You. There is a future. There is hope. There is a Savior.

Psalm 84

How lovely is Your dwelling place, Lord (1)… it's all about abiding in You, or You abiding in me. I am Your dwelling place now; I am Your temple. In and of itself this temple is not a fitting place for Your glory and goodness, but You put Your Spirit in me. Help me abide in You and Your Words abide in me. Help me to pray and talk with You. David thought the priests were the happiest people in the world because they lived in the temple (4)…and that they praised You continuously. Be praised today and every day.

The thing is, Lord, the world is not my home. I like to have a place, a routine, and sense of settledness. I guess everyone does. But home is where You are. It's the New Earth that is coming along with the New Jerusalem. This is a journey -- and a short one, too. The happiest people are the ones who depend on Your strength and whose hearts are set on pilgrimage (5). I have to treat this life with all its circumstances, adversities, and victories as a pilgrimage toward You. I am a pilgrim!

This pilgrim wants You to be first. I am second.~

Journal for 10/21…waking up!

5:40 AM

Father, You are over all the earth. You are its Creator and the One that makes life and light happen. It is a fallen world, but You have a plan. Some would call me silly or naïve, but I believe the Bible, Your Word, and all it says will come to pass. My understanding, of course, only goes so far. In the big scheme of things I know very little. But I am certain that one day evil will defeated and cast down; right and righteousness will prevail -- and last for all eternity on a New Earth.

Psalm 78:65-72

Sometimes it seems like You are sleeping and You just allow bad things to happen without notice. Then You awaken (65)…and when You do, the world knows it! I am learning that it's in those silent times that You are not just allowing evil to have its way, but You are doing some constructive work on me. Jesus, my Redeemer and Friend, was a "man of sorrows". How can I be like Him, and have the mind of Christ, without sorrow?

I was just a little boy and lost in my sin when You not only awakened to save me, but You woke me up to Your truth. Thank You, O Lord, for that! You gave me light and life. I believed You in such a simple and childlike way. I want to believe and trust You the same today. Wake up -- quicken -- my spirit to Your presence and love and grace.

Awaken today, Lord, in me. Fill me with Your Spirit and help me maintain an attitude of Christlikeness. It's not easy…it goes against my human nature; but You, Lord, have rescued and saved me from all that offends You. Now help me to reject it (all that offends You), too.

Be first, Lord. I am second.~

Journal for 10/20…Remembering God

5:52 AM

Psalm 78:40-64

Father, You have done wondrous things for Your people -- not just Israel, but for the United States. Much like Israel of old, America has been blessed, protected, and filled with Your goodness. Yet, we have forgotten our roots, our spiritual heritage. We have become warped like a faulty bow (57) because of our rebellion against You. Forgive our sins, Lord…both national and personal.

There was a point, Lord when You abandoned the tabernacle at Shiloh (60) -- the tent where You resided; where You met with Your people. I am Your tabernacle now. I am Your temple. I pray that You would fill this temple, this tent of meeting, with Your Spirit. Do not abandon me and leave me alone. In the Name of Jesus Christ, help me to present my body, Your temple, as a living sacrifice, and may I be holy and acceptable unto You (Rom 12.1). Renew my mind, for it surely has a bent toward the world without Your Word and Your Spirit.

The history of humanity, America, the church, and my family demonstrate Your grace, goodness and kindness…and patience. You love us/me more than I can ponder. May Your glory always shine through, Father. Thank You for all You have done…and all You will do.

I am second.~

Journal for 10/19…general praise and discussion

5:44 AM

Psalm 78:32-39

Father, I sit here in the calm of the morning, drinking my coffee, reading Your Word…as if all is right with the world. There are other believers in this fallen world that face hardship, persecution, pain, separation, even death because of their faith in You. They will not relent in their faith that is tested every day.

My faith is tested every day, too, but in different ways. Like the Israelites coming out of Egypt You have blessed and provided for me…sure it's been tough sometimes, because, after all this is a cursed earth I live on. They took Your blessings for granted and rebelled anyway. They were tempted to take advantage of Your promises and their hearts were insincere toward You (37). I don't want to follow their path. I want to be sincere toward You; I want to follow You; I want to please You with my life.

You are compassionate and have atoned for my guilt; You have not destroyed me or let me down one single time (38). How many times have You turned Your anger aside (38), for me and other believers.

I am grateful that You remember that I am only flesh, a wind that passes (39), but that's no excuse. Thank You for being my Redeemer. I am grateful for Your salvation, compassion, and mercy. Help me abide in You today. There will be competition for my attention, but help me defer my priorities to You. Be first. I am second.~

Journal for 10/17…Fathers

5:48 AM

Psalm 78:1-31

Lord, You are a wonderful Father…You love Your children and do what is best for them. Sometimes fathers do what is best for their children when they do not understand, or when they are not pleased. But a loving father does what is right and what is best for his children's future. Eventually they will see the reasons.

You are that kind of Father…You do what is best for me whether I understand it or not; whether I like it or not. I particularly don't care for Your discipline (just sayin'). But one thing I know: You love me.

I pray for the fathers and men that I know. I pray that they will obey You and then pass Your Word and Your ways to the next generation, to a "future generation" (6). I pray that we will pass along our confidence in God, and that we'll help our younger people to not forget Your works (7), and help them keep Your commands.

One generation does not have to follow the rebellion of the previous generation (8). Strengthen and encourage the fathers I have influence with. May we all be filled with Your Spirit and pass Your favor along to succeeding generations.

Be first today, Lord. I am second.~

Journal portion 10/17…He is good

Psalm 77

Father…You have been good to me. Without a doubt, You have done far greater than I deserve. Why you love me and give me another chance is beyond my human understanding. I also know You love the foulest sinner, the meanest person, and the worst offenders…people that aren't my friends. Jesus died for us -- for me -- while still in sin. And the most amazing thing is this: You want to be close to me; have a relationship with me; and draw near to me. Just amazing.

There have been times when You would not let me sleep (4) because of trouble and conflict. And I couldn't figure out why You didn't just rush in and rescue me (9). But I always remember Your works in the past and Your ancient wonders (11). I reflect and remember the many times You helped me; walked with me; and redeemed me.

I don't see the big picture You see. I don't always understand what it is You're doing, or what You're trying to accomplish in me, or why You would allow certain things to occur. When those times of confusion and doubt come, help me to reflect and help me to remember the things You've done before…starting with my salvation!

So many blessings that You've provided out of Your love and mercy. Truly, You must delight in blessing even me. There's no other explanation. Today, I want to abide in You and let Your words abide in me. I am second.~

Journal portion for 10/14…desecration

5:45 AM

Father, You have such patience. I get sick and tired of me before You do! Thank You for understanding the frailties and disadvantages I have to work with. That does not excuse my bent for rebellion and the desire to conform to this fallen world. I embrace the gospel and believe entirely in Your Son, Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of my sins. Help me be less conformed to this world but transformed by the renewing of my mind; let prove what is Your good, perfect, and acceptable will…at least for my life.

Psalm 74

You have enemies, Lord, and as a result Your people come under attack. In some places they persecute, torture and murder the faithful. In other places they mock, ridicule and marginalize us. Even in Your congregation there are those who do not have the respect they should for the house of prayer…"they utterly desecrated the dwelling place of Your Name." (7)

In Egypt, for example, Lord, embrace the true believers whose houses of worship are being torched and looted, and believers are being killed. But in America, Lord -- right here -- there are people who have no respect for the house of prayer, its divine purpose, or its leaders. Be with my Christian brothers, empower them, around the world that face grueling circumstances because they will not deny You.

Lord Jesus, help me to always respect Your Bride, the church, and those You call to serve You; help me love and uphold all believers that give attention to serving and sacrificing for You and the Bride You gave Your life for.

Be glorified today, Lord, on earth as You are in heaven. I am second.~

Journal for 10/13…being second in the church

Psalm 133

So, Lord, I pick up this publication to see what's in it. This month is dedicated to who is in charge in the church…meaning that there is adversity in the Body of Christ; turf wars over who is in charge of what; territorial conflicts over who should have the final say. Then, I pick up Your Word and today's Psalm starts off: How good and pleasant it is when brothers can live together! It ends with: For there (brotherhood) the Lord has appointed blessing--life forevermore. We tend to see more people avoid church in our culture than be drawn to it. The "blessing" of the Lord from our unity is missing.

What is missing is servanthood. What is missing is love. Forgive us, Lord, for our personal agendas, for our listening to and promoting gossip, for not loving others as You loved us.

Father, be glorified today -- I know You will, no matter what I do. But I'd like for my life to conform more readily to Your goodness and grace.

Lord Jesus, I want to abide in You today…walk with me, talk with me, sing with me. Fill me with Your Spirit. Be first, Lord, I am second…to other believers as well as to You.~

Journal for 10/12…Precious in His sight

Psalm 72

I come to You, Father, with the sound of rain, refreshing, needed rain outside. Thank You, for always taking care of Your creation. You made it and can do what You want with it. I'm just thankful that Your plan for the created order included salvation for me and all who believe.

You, Lord, care for the poor, afflicted, helpless, and oppressed. They are precious in Your sight (12-14). In filling me with Your Spirit today, help me to care more for the ones You care for…see value in the ones You consider precious.

Thank You for the blessings You have given me -- truly I am gifted by Your grace with salvation, my family, my ministry, and my health. I am promised a home where You will dwell with Your people -- including me -- and all things become new! I like new.

Be first today, Lord…I'm trying to be second.~

Journal portion for 10/11…renew, transform

5:48 AM

Father, You have been generous to me throughout my life. Today, I give You praise for Your giving nature and grace. You rule from Heaven and always will, yet, You bring Yourself to be personally involved in my life. You have blessed me beyond measure. I tend to complain when things aren't perfect, but how can they be in this fallen world. What I should focus on is the way You have blessed me.

Psalm 101

I will sing of Your faithful love and justice, Lord (1) and I will pay attention today to the way of integrity (2). I will not set anything godless before my eyes (3) intentionally. In this cursed world unwholesome images and godless things will appear through the course of a day, and people say and do things that are not Spirit-led, but I will not be the one today to set godless things before me. Forgive my sins and fill me with Your Spirit. Let Your Word empower me and transform me -- renew my mind, Lord.

Be first today…I am second.~

Journal portion for 10/07… pursued or pursuer

5:53 AM

Psalm 7

Father, I thank You for all You have done for me. It's a battle here in this fallen world…a fallen world that I am a part of, was born into, and must live in for the time being. You have given me Your Spirit, Your Word and other weapons of warfare. Help me have the mind of Christ today in order to take a stand and stand my ground.

It occurs to me that we all have pursuers, (1) Lord. Sometimes there are people that never satisfied unless they hurt us, destroy our reputation, take our money, and cost us dearly. Some even purport to be our brothers in Christ. But there are pursuers like addictions and sins that just chase people down -- won't leave them alone for a second. Lord, be with all my friends that fight their addictions today, whatever they may be. And those that are drawn to the "sins that so easily beset us" (Heb12:1).

Lord, I want to become the pursuer today, not the pursued. I want to pursue the mind and thoughts of Christ. I want to pursue Your comfort that I can pass along to others. I want to pursue activities and ideas that honor You. Help me pursue Christ today as I work, minister, move about and take care of today's business. Help me pursue second place. ~

Journal Portion for 10/06…troublemakers

5:37 AM

You are my heavenly and eternal Father, and I am happy that I can come to You this morning and actually talk with You. I am able to tell You myself that I trust Your grace, compassion, and mercy. I don't need a special access code other than the blood of Jesus and His good Name to enter Your presence. Words fail me, human language falls short of describing Your glory and majesty. Of course, I've never seen Your glory (yet) like John and Isaiah, but I have their revelation of it. Your glory even caused Moses' face to glow! All of this is recorded in the Bible, Your revealed Word, and I believe it. I will see You in person soon enough and worship You face to face.

Face to face with Christ my Savior; face to face, what will it be, when with rapture I behold Him, Jesus Christ Who died for me? Face to face I shall behold Him far beyond the crystal sea; face to face in all His glory -- jesus Christ who died for me!

Proverbs 6

Lord, in my time I've seen, much to my dismay, Christians that deliberately stir up trouble in the church…either against someone, about an issue, or just about anything. Trouble-makers they are. Somehow they have their own personal agenda, not Your agenda. They are first, not You. Forgive me if I have ever done that because Your Word says You hate that and that it's detestable to You (19). The church is Your Bride; the members are Your redeemed and called out ones; the ministers and elders are gifted by You. How can anyone treat Your Bride and Your people that way? Yet, they do it without a second thought…like it's normal and acceptable behavior. Forgive us, Lord, for what we have done to Your church. You hate it when trouble-makers stir up trouble among brothers.

Abide with me, today, Lord. Fill me with Your Spirit. Help me remember and obey Your commands, for your commandments and Your teachings are a lamp and a light. They are the way of life and they protect me (23,24). Thank You for Your Word; Your wisdom; Your calling to follow You. Help me deny myself, take up my cross and follow You today. Have the preeminence in all things and make me second.~

Journal for 10/05…just talking

5:30 AM

Father…You are my Creator and my Savior. You have always been, and will always be above everything You are above everything in power, yes, but in goodness and holiness and kindness. You ask me to be long-suffering because You have been long-suffering with me! Thank You for getting me through yesterday.

While I'm thinking about it, Lord. Yussef, the pastor in Iran, is in the hands of cruel and unjust men, trumping up charges against him so they can execute him. Fill him with Your Spirit no matter how it plays out. But I think of so many other believers today whose lives are lived in constant threat of persecution and fear. My problems are so petty and inconsequential compared to those who suffering, even languishing in jail because of their faith in You.

When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be! When we all see Jesus we'll sing and shout the victory!

Psalm 65

Praise is rightfully Yours, Lord…all the promises that people make to You, and before You, should be kept (1). How can we expect Your favor if we cannot be trusted to follow through? I'm certainly glad that You hear my prayers (2). Sometimes it doesn't seem like it, but I know You move on a different clock than I do.

You atone for my rebellions and have chosen me in Christ to serve You…there are blessings that natural flow from that truth (3,4). I am satisfied with You, but are You satisfied with me? I am not. But you answer me in righteousness (5), though my prayers are not completely offered in "righteousness" ( a little self-serving sometimes).

I love this: (9) You visit the earth and water in abundantly, enriching it greatly. (Does that mean You must favor New England right now over East Texas??) Hey, You gave me a sense of humor. :-)

The bottom line is that You have, and will, take care of us…my family, my church family, and my friends. Thank You for my health, Lord; my salvation; a ministry and ability to do it; my family, past and present; my wife of 41 years; and for Your guidance over the years. I am counting on You to guide me still. I need Your wisdom and Your thoughts on some things.

Let's walk and talk together today. Fill me with Your Spirit and remove the mounds of worldliness and crud that muck up our relationship. Help me have the mind of Christ today…

Oh be careful little eyes what you see…be careful little feet where you go…be careful little hands what you do…for the Father up above is looking down with love, so be careful Darril what you see, where you go, what you do.

Be first today, Lord…pick up my spirits with Your presence. I am second.~

Part of my Journal for 10/04…focus

5:37 AM

Father…to begin with I want to thank You. I am grateful for Your kindness toward me. I tend to be inconsistent in a lot of ways, but You know about it and love me anyway. You, however, are always dependable, consistent, and true to form. For that I give You praise. How awful it would be to get up in the morning and wonder what kind of mood the Creator and Sustainer of life is in!

Proverbs 4

"Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life." (23) Lord, I want to love You above the world -- above myself. I want my affections and loyalty to be to You, and You alone. I want to be Yours no matter where I am or where I serve, on earth or in heaven. Don't let me love the world and be conformed to it…help transform and renew my mind with every verse I read and meditate on. I want my eyes to look forward (25) and not deviate from the purposes of Your kingdom for my life. I will try and carefully consider the path that I take, but need Your wisdom, guidance, and clear bidding.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own; and the joy we share as we tarry there -- none other has ever known.

It's going to be a busy day and a busy week. There's a lot of details to remember and things to be worked out. Help me get it all done and glorify You in the process. And I sure don't want the busy-ness to distract me from consciously abiding in You. Talk with me. Walk with me. Be first. I am second.~

Partial Journal for 10/03…loyalty

5:47 AM

Proverbs 3

Father…You bless me this morning with the knowledge of Your salvation. No matter what happens today, I have Your redemption, Your grace, and Your mercy. This is not because of any merit of my own, but because of Your grace and the merit that is imputed to me by Jesus Christ, Your Son. My only merit is what You have given me in Jesus. You rule it all in majesty and honor. You can do no wrong. Your kingdom will prevail. These are some of the certainties I have today.

Loyalty, Lord, is what You honor (3) and faithfulness is what You encourage. Fill me with the power of Your Spirit and make loyalty my trademark from now on. My first loyalty is to You. You are first, I am second. Help me to be faithful to You and to my calling today.

My heart tends to fear circumstances and trust in my own wits; but I want to trust in You with my whole heart (5). I know that You would never leave me alone or disengage from my life and the circumstances that I face. Walk with me; talk with me; let us think together. I trust You…help me trust You more.

Abide with me today, Lord. Give me the mind of Christ and help me keep my focus as I study, pray, rest, and work. Thank You for the assurance of Your love and compassion. If anyone needs it, it's me. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for all You have done for me. ~