Journal portion for 02-29-12…Faithful God

Psalm 59 Leap Day

Lord, I will sing of Your strength and will joyfully proclaim Your faithful love in the morning (16). In spite of my own failings, You have been a stronghold for me, a refuge in days of trouble. Yes, I begin this morning giving You praise for Your grace, compassion and love. There is no one like You. You have all the power and are the source of light and life for everyone.

Forgive my sins. If You will, cleanse me and fill me with Your Spirit. I have no basis on which to pray except the Name and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ -- the One that was crucified for me; rose from the dead for me; and one day is coming back for me.

Place, if You will in Jesus' Name, a hedge of protection around my family today; help us keep our heads up in spiritual alertness; help us live for You today. Hedge in and protect my church family; help us to grow in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man; fill us with Your Spirit.

You are my stronghold; I sing praises to You (17)…You are faithful God. Be first today, Lord, and help me be second.~

Journal portion for 02-28-12… Thank You, Lord

Good morning, Lord! Just a thank You for my salvation; my life; my ministry; my family; and a personal, intimate relationship with You. The depth of Your love will never be understood, but I am grateful for it. Your grace and mercy, Lord, are awesome and wonderful. Thank You for saving me and opening my eyes -- quickening my spirit -- so that I could receive You and put my faith, however imperfect, in You.

Journal portion for 02-20-12…So glad God isn’t like me!

Psalm 50

Father, I know You will judge me and that I will have nothing to plead except the sacrifice of Jesus on my behalf. I don't for a minute think You are like me (21) and that You will forget what I have or haven't done. I will appeal to Your love, compassion and mercy, Lord.

And today I offer You a thank offering (14,23). Thank You for so very much…my salvation, my family, my health, my ministry. Mostly, thank You for Your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank You for desiring an intimate, personal relationship with me. Help me to order my conduct (23) in ways that will please You.

I do not for a moment think You are like me (21), otherwise You would have vaporized me long ago; I would never have experienced Your grace; I would not know the release and freedom of Your mercy. No, You are not like me…for that I give You eternal praise and glory. Have the preeminence today, Lord. I am second.~

Journal portion for 02-16-12…My family; my life…thank You

9:23 AM @ main office/after bus run

Lord, I have to give You praise and glory for what You have done in the lives of my children and their spouses. Hedge them in, please, in the Name of Jesus Christ and the power of His blood…because of Your merit, not mine, and not theirs. I appeal to Your grace and compassion. Thank You for my wife of 42 years. Wow, what a treasure she is! Fill us all with Your Spirit of wisdom today and in the days to come.

Thank You for my life. And thank You for sparing my life from hell and everlasting punishment. I don't want to be cast out of Your presence, and I know that I am safe because of the power of Christ's blood and the depth of Your love for me. Certainly I have nothing to bring to the table. All I have is Jesus -- and I believe that is enough.

Be praised and glorified today through my family. Please, Lord, help us be second and give You the preeminence. ~

Journal portion for 02-13-12…God’s presence

5:58 AM, Psalm 73

Father, without question, God's presence is my good! (28). That's my thought and prayer as I begin this day and week. I ask for Your presence Jehovah-Shammah. Forgive my sins and wash me with the blood of Your precious Son, Jesus Christ. Fill me with Your Spirit of wisdom. Help me, dear Spirit, to be conscious of Your presence in me and around me. Be glorified today somehow. I am second.~

Journal for 02-08-12…How He knows and loves me

5:45 AM, Psalm 38

Father, You know all my thoughts -- good and bad; righteous and sinful; Godly and self-centered. I can't hide anything from You. You know my heart's desire, whether right or wrong. I praise You for having the power to know me, and for love that surrounds me at the same time. I can't get my mind around it: how much You despise sin and how much You love me. You are surely justified in whatever judgment You make. But make that judgment based on the merit of Your Son, Jesus Christ, and the power of His blood; not on the merit of my sin and integrity. You are worthy to be praised and exalted for ever and ever. And by Your grace, Father, that's exactly what I will do.

Heaven is not so much about the glory and splendor of the place, but about the One that occupies the throne there. It's about You being with Your people. So, as I think of Heaven, I think of being in Your presence…face to face.

Be glorified in this fallen world today through Your people scattered about the globe. We are a remnant, but help us live out Your love, Your grace, and Your forgiveness. I am second.~

Journal for 02-07-12…Trusting God

5:41 AM, Psalm 37

Thank You, Father, for the reminder to trust in You. I do not need to make my own way, but rather commit my way to You, trust in You, and then You will act. Your support is far better than anything else.

Fill me with Your Spirit today, Lord. I cannot do this apart from Your grace and power. I need Your wisdom and guidance.

Thank You, Lord, for recently answered prayer and guidance. May I, and my family, follow You, live for You, and stay close to You at all times.

I ask Your forgiveness for being agitated (8) by others that prosper in their way. We will have enough. I trust You to care for us…based on Your love, not my own merit but the merit of Jesus Christ and the powerful glory of His Name.

I am second.~

Journal for 02-06-12…His faithful love

5:42 AM, Psalm 36

Father, Your faithful love reaches to the heavens; Your faithful love is so valuable that people take refuge in the shadow of Your wings; spread Your faithful love over those who know You. For with You is life's fountain. In Your light we will see light. Wherever I go, whatever I do, Your faithful love is there.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for loving me faithfully…even when I am unfaithful, You are true and dependable. You pursue me for some reason. I am deeply sorry for the sins and selfishness that has separated us at times. Even then, Your faithful love remained in pursuit.

For Your continued care and protection, I thank You. For the guidance You have given to my family, I thank You. For dying in my place and then making it known to this heart of flesh, I thank You.

May Jesus, the Lord of creation, the King of glory, and the Lamb that was slain be glorified today. Until You come…I am second.~

Journal for 02-03-12…Acknowledging God

5:47 AM, Psalm 33

Lord, the whole earth will one day tremble before You (8), but not yet. The world does not look to You, nor does it acknowledge You or Your law. Neither does it embrace Your grace and mercy.

But for now, in my heart, I acknowledge You and embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ. I thank You for opening my eyes and helping me see the truth that is You.

Be first in my life. I am second.~

Journal portion for 02-02-12…Simple thanks

5:41 AM, Psalm 32

What an awesome and wonderful God You are. You forgive sin and give instruction; You protect and give counsel. You are sovereign, yet You are intimate and close.

Thank You for the salvation revealed to me. Thank You for Jesus Christ, Your Son, giving Himself to pay my debt. Every good and perfect gift is from You, so there is so much to be thankful for!

Please give me wisdom, endurance and energy today. Be glorified somehow in my life. I am second.~

Journal portion for 2-01-12…He leads and guides

5:45 AM, Psalm 31

Father, in the big scheme of things -- in a world with millions of people -- I'm just one more person, one more address, one more tax payer among many. Yet, You love me and know me. You know my name and personality, weaknesses and strengths. You thought my life and my soul of such worth that You gave Your Son to die for all my sins. I praise You, Almighty God, for the details. I am one of those "details" of Your creation … and You never forget the details. I will one day praise You in a place where my worship is unimpeded by my sins and other distractions. It will be pure worship from a redeemed and grateful heart.

You lead me and guide me because of Your Name.(3) In the meantime, I am here. Each day I make plans that I pray will glorify You; I think of my future and the things You would want me to do; and I depend upon You to lead me and guide me.

Walk with me today…let's talk. I may even sing You a song or two! As You lead and guide remain first in my life. I am second.~