Fellowship in the Midst of Serving

Deuteronomy 33:26

There is no one like the God of Israel. He rides across the heavens to help you, across the skies in majestic splendor.

Deuteronomy 33:26

Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)

Whether you turn to the right or the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, "This is the way, walk in it."

Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)

Romans 1:16 (NIV)

I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

Romans 1:16 (NIV)

Luke 41-42 (NIV)

"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed - or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

I can imagine Martha thinking that men just don't understand the many details that need to be attended to when you are not only having a group of people for a meal, but also staying with you. I don't think the point was that those things didn't need to be done. Of course they needed to be done or the meal would never be served and sleeping arrangements never made. But Martha didn't need to be getting so worked up over them. She was allowing herself to miss out on fellowshipping with Jesus even as she served.

I think there are times to sit quietly at Jesus' feet and there are times to fellowship with him even as we serve.

Perhaps Jesus had Martha sit down and calm down for a bit as he spoke. And then he could have gotten up and gone to the kitchen with her to help prepare and serve the meal. I love this picture of Jesus helping, no, showing us how to serve with a sweet attitude after we've spent time with HIM.

Lord, please help me to serve my family with a sweet attitude. Help me to know when it is time to just sit quietly at your feet and when it is time to fellowship with you in the midst of serving. In Jesus' Name, amen.

Accepted By God

Deuteronomy 33:26

There is no one like the God of Israel. He rides across the heavens to help you, across the skies in majestic splendor.

Deuteronomy 33:26

Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)

Whether you turn to the right or the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, "This is the way, walk in it."

Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)

Romans 1:16 (NIV)

I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

Romans 1:16 (NIV)

Romans 3:27-28

Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith. So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law.

Lord, I'm so glad that there is nothing I've done or ever could do to be accepted by you. It is completely based on faith! I'm so glad that my relationship with you isn't tied to me obeying the law.

Romans 3:31

Well then, if we emphasize faith, does that mean that we can forget about the law? Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law.

A True Jew?

Deuteronomy 33:26

There is no one like the God of Israel. He rides across the heavens to help you, across the skies in majestic splendor.

Deuteronomy 33:26

Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)

Whether you turn to the right or the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, "This is the way, walk in it."

Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)

Romans 1:16

I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes - the Jew first and also the Gentile.

Romans 1:16

Romans 2:28-29

For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the ceremony of circumcision. No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather it is a change of heart produced by God's Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.

Lord, last night at the Freedom Workshop I was getting a little high on praise from my sisters who were seeking to encourage and build me up. Then during the worship I heard this voice in my head trying to tell me, "You're such a fake! You have everyone convinced, including yourself, that you are so righteous." I thank you, Lord, for helping me to Immediately realize that was a baldfaced lie. I am NOT a fake, because YOU are changing my heart! Your Spirit is in me transforming me into a new person by changing the way I think. You are helping me to care more about praise from YOU than from people. Thank you for this confirmation that I belong to YOU! I AM being made into something beautiful. It's by hiding your word in my heart and spending time talking with you. You are making me look more and more like you. And there is NOTHING more beautiful in this world or in heaven than YOU! I praise you that you want to be friends with me. I praise you that we DO have conversations and sweet fellowship together. Lord Jesus, I can't wait for the time when I will get to see you face-to-face!! I love you so much!! Amen

Better Together

Genesis 4:17

If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.

Genesis 4:17

Psalm 51:6 (NASB)

Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom. 

Psalm 51:6 (NASB)

Romans 1:16

I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes - the Jew first and also the Gentile.

Romans 1:16

Romans 1:12

When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.

Lord, this is what I miss out on when I listen to that voice of isolation. We are indeed better together! You want to use me to encourage my brothers and sisters in their faith. But you also want me to be encouraged by theirs. Lord, you know how easy it is for me to give in to that voice of isolation, especially when it involves giving up my evening at home. I pray that you would give me a want to go and spend time encouraging and being encouraged.

Psalm 119:142-144

Your justice is eternal,

and your instructions are perfectly true.

As pressure and stress bear down on me,

I find joy in your commands.

Your laws are always right;

help me to understand them so I may live.

In the construction world a plumb is used to make sure that the work is "perfectly true" or in perfect vertical alignment. I don't know a lot about construction, but I think that the reason for this isn't just so the building will be aesthetically pleasing, but also so that it will be able to stand up to the pressure and stress that will bear down on it.

Lord, Your instructions are perfectly true, they keep me in perfect alignment with You! Because of this, when pressure and stress bear down on me, I am able to find joy in your commands. I'm able to stand up to the pressure and stress when I stay in perfect vertical alignment with You. 

In construction it is important for the building to not only be aligned vertically, but also horizontally. Lord, Your laws and instructions also keep me in horizontal alignment with the people in my life.

Lord, I so quickly and easily get out of alignment with You and the people around me. I thank you that all I have to do when that happens is confess it to You, and sometimes to the person I've hurt, and ask for forgiveness. Whether that person chooses to forgive me or not, YOU always are faithful to forgive me and make me in perfect alignment with You once again.

I thank You, Lord, for your laws which are always right! Help me to understand them so I may live. In Jesus' Name, amen.

My Shepherd

Genesis 4:17

If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.

Genesis 4:17

Psalm 51:6 (NASB)

Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom. 

Psalm 51:6 (NASB)

Romans 1:16

I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes - the Jew first and also the Gentile.

Romans 1:16

Psalm 119:129-133

Your laws are wonderful.

No wonder I obey them!

The teaching of your word gives light,

so even the simple can understand.

I pant with expectation,

longing for your commands.

Come and show me your mercy,

as you do for all who love your name.

Guide my steps by your word,

so I will not be overcome by evil.

Genesis 46:33-34

Then he said, "When Pharaoh calls for you and asks you about your occupation, you must tell him, 'We, your servants, have raised livestock all our lives, as our ancestors have always done.' When you tell him this, he will let you live here in the region of Goshen, for the Egyptians despise shepherds."

I know that Egypt is a type of the world. This world despises the Good Shepherd. They don't want anyone telling them how to live their lives. As a result, they end up wandering and lost. They end up getting themselves caught in thickets of their own making. 

It makes me sad that they don't know what they are missing out on. They think that Your laws will be a burden and a drudge to obey. But they are wonderful and I gladly obey them. The teaching of Your Word gives light to my mind so that even in my simpleness and humanness I can understand. I long to know and obey your commands, because in that I find Your mercy. You do this for all who love Your name. You guide my steps by Your Word and prevent me from being overcome by evil.

I Praise You my Shepherd!! In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Light a Fire

Genesis 4:17

If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.

Genesis 4:17

Psalm 51:6 (NASB)

Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom. 

Psalm 51:6 (NASB)

Micah 6:8

No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:8

Psalm 119:125

Give discernment to me, your servant; then I will understand your laws.

Lord, I certainly do need discernment! I want to understand your laws and follow hard after you. Will you please light a fire down in my soul that I can't contain and I can't control? I want more of you, Lord!

Please direct my steps today. My times are in your hands. Help me to keep short accounts today. If I hear my sinful nature speaking to me today, and I know I will, help me to turn and say, "Jesus! It's for you!"

Lord, I've placed the management of my household and all we own and all I eat in your hands. Help me to remember to consult you about everything. 

Psalm 37:23

The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.

I praise you that you delight in every detail of my life! You direct my steps. Thank you! I praise you, Jesus!! Amen.

Lord, Bring the Rain!

Genesis 4:17

If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.

Genesis 4:17

Psalm 51:6 (NASB)

Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom. 

Psalm 51:6 (NASB)

Micah 6:8

No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:8

Hosea 6:3

So let us know, let us press on to know, let us press on to know the LORD. His going forth is as certain as the dawn and He will come to us like the rain, like the spring rain watering the earth.

Lord, what a beautiful picture you gave me of this verse this morning! Just as I was settling down to meet with you it started raining outside and you came to me like the rain. You refreshed my soul yet again.

Lord, you come to us like the spring rain in waves of blessing. Sometimes it's a soft, gentle outpouring. Then it becomes a deluge flooding my soul with your truth and washing away all the contaminants that I've picked up along my way. Just like a hard rain washes away the pollen from the air, you leave behind a fresh clean feeling and I can breathe again. I'm left dripping and soaked in your love and truth. Lord, may it splash out onto everyone I'm in contact with today! Please keep raining on my soul all day today!

Lord, use the rain that you've watered my soul with to water seeds that were planted in others! Let the rain you are giving me splash onto other believers leaving them soaked and dripping too.

Then they can pass it on to others as well.

Genesis 39:2-6a

The LORD was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. Potiphar noticed this and realized that the LORD was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did. This pleased Potiphar, so he soon made Joseph his personal attendant. He put him in charge of his entire household and everything he owned. From the day Joseph was put in charge of his master's household and property, the LORD began to bless Potiphar's household for Joseph's sake. All his household affairs ran smoothly, and his crops and livestock flourished. So Potiphar gave Joseph complete administrative responsibility over everything he owned. With Joseph there, he didn't worry about a thing -- except what kind of food to eat!

Lord, I know that Joseph was a type of Christ. Jesus Christ, I want you to be in charge of our household and finances! I know that with you in charge all our household affairs will run smoothly and our crops and livestock will flourish. Help me to look to you to know how to run my household. Show me what you want me to do with every minute of my day. Do you want me to go do laundry? Please let me know and I will go do it. Is it time for me to check the kids' schoolwork? Speak to my heart and I'll do it. Help me to stop and ask for guidance each moment of my day.

Please be in charge of the kind of food I eat as well! Lord, I tend to want to let my stomach be my master. I tend to want to eat the kind of things that are not good for me. Help me to submit to your will in what I eat and how much I eat. Then my body will flourish and be healthy.

1 Peter 2:21-23

Lord, help my husband to know that the suffering he goes through at work is all part of what YOU have called him to. Remind him that Christ, who suffered for him is his example. Help my husband to follow in HIS steps. Jesus, you never sinned and you never deceived anyone. Help my husband to not retaliate when he is insulted. When he suffers, help him not to want to get even. Enable my husband to leave his case in YOUR hands God because you always judge fairly! In Jesus Name! Amen!

2015 Salt and Light Retreat Quiet Time Sunday

Hebrews 12

V.1 Lord, you know how easily sin has tripped me up and still does. Help me to strip that weight off because sin's power over me is broken. Help me to run with endurance the race set before me!

V. 2 Lord, you know that there are times when I'm out running when I just want to stop before I reach my goal. Especially when I'm running in a race the pressure is on to keep running and not stop. The secret to being able to endure in a race is to find that pace that my body is able to maintain. It can be hard to keep that pace without a pace setter. It's tempting to go too fast too soon without that. Lord, you are my pace setter. I keep my eyes on you as I run. As I do this consistently, you perfect my pace and help me to run better and better with you at my side.

V. 3-4 Lord, when I think of what you endured for my sake, it gives me the strength to keep on going for you. The things I suffer can't even compare to what you went through for me.

V. 5-6 I thank you for the discipline you administer to me. Thank you for the spankings and slaps to my hand, because these things train me in righteousness.

V. 7-9 If you didn't spank me then I wouldn't truly be your child. Lord, I submit to your discipline  so that I can grow up and live in your presence forever!

V. 10-11 Lord, do whatever you need to do to train this foolish and rebellious heart! I want to share in your holiness. Lord, I'm thinking of how my roomies and I were talking last night. They were sharing about their pasts and how you have brought them so far. I was feeling like I've lived such a sheltered life and praising you for being my shelter. But even though I've led a sheltered life, I have a human heart. I have a sinful nature that wants to drag me into all kinds of trouble. Lord, though I may seem so sweet and innocent to outsiders, YOU know the ugliness that is inside me. You know that I have just as much capacity to sin as anyone. Lord, I pray that you would continuously cleanse me. Show me the areas in me that still need your spring cleaning. I don't need to go looking for these and trying to scrub them myself. My efforts would only be like someone trying to clean a dirty counter with a filthy rag. It would only smear the mess around more. You want me to wait for you to show me the areas that need cleaning and then watch as you pour your blood over it. As your blood washes over what is left is clean, sparkling and disinfected!

V. 12-13 Lord, this weekend has been about getting a new grip with my tired hands and strengthening my weak knees. You mark out a straight path for my feet so that though I may at times feel weak and lame, I will not fall, but you make me strong.

V. 14 It has been easy to live in peace while here, but I'm going home to my family and all the realities of my life. Help me to take with me all that you've taught me this weekend. Help me to work at living a holy life.

V. 15 Help me to continue to look after my salt and light sisters so that none of us will fail to receive God's grace. Let me keep short accounts so that no root of bitterness grows up to corrupt many.

V. 18-24 I praise you God that I have not come to a place of condemnation and fear, but a place of forgiveness by your sprinkled blood! Lord, I am part of that assembly of your firstborn children whose names are written in heaven. Praise Your Name!!

V. 25-29 I want to always listen to your voice Jesus. Give me a faith that cannot be shaken! I want to thank you and worship you with holy fear and awe because I am receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable. Lord, show me how to worship you like that! God, I know that you are a devouring fire.

2015 Salt and Light Retreat Quiet Time Saturday

Hosea 6:3
So let us know, let us press on to know the LORD. His going forth is as certain as the dawn and he will come to us like the rain, like spring  rain watering the earth.

Lord, I want to press on to know you! I know that you will respond to me as surely as the dawn! You are just waiting for me to come and talk with you.

Psalm 42:1-2
As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before Him?

Lord, I'm sitting here with you. I long to hear from you! Please pour your refreshing Spirit into me! Wash me with your Holy Spirit. Show me if there is any wicked way in me so that I can turn from it and run to you!

Lord, I need to press on to know you. It takes effort. I get so spiritually lazy! Lord, I confess that to you right now. Help me to take the tools that you are giving me and press on to know you. Please forgive me for being so lazy spiritually. Lord, the time is running short. I need your word hidden in my heart. I need the discipline of pressing on to know you so that I can be used by you to draw others to you.

Lord, I believe that you have shown me today that you want to work cure my spiritual laziness. You know that it is getting better, but I have a ways to go. I praise you for revealing this to me. Help me to now do what you have told me. In Jesus Name, amen.

Why the Trials?

Genesis 4:17

If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.

Genesis 4:17

Psalm 51:6 (NASB)

Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom. 

Psalm 51:6 (NASB)

Micah 6:8

No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:8

2 Corinthians 4:17

For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!

Back in February I was wondering what the point of all these trials here on earth is since I can never be perfect this side of heaven.

Romans 5:3-4

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.

These trials help me to be fruitful for God. They give me the boldness to speak up and share with others. They give me depth of character. They give me the desire to invest in kingdom work which builds interest in my heavenly bank account. Matt. 6:19-21

We have trials because we live in a fallen world. In God's economy nothing is ever wasted. For the Christian, He uses these trials in mighty ways for our best good. "This thing is from Me" He tells us. And we rejoice! Amen

Reflections of YOU

1 Peter 4:12-13

Dear friends don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.  Instead, be very glad - because these trials will make you partners with Christ in His suffering, and afterward you will have the wonderful joy of sharing His glory when it is displayed to all the world.

1 Peter 4:12-13

Romans 6: 16

Don't you realize that whatever you choose to obey becomes your master? You can choose sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God and receive His approval.

Romans 6:16

Micah 6:8

No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:8

2 Corinthians 3:18

So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord - who is the Spirit - makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

Thank you Lord for removing the veil so that I can see and reflect your glory. I pray that I would be a bright reflection of you.

1 Corinthians 13:12

Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.

Wow! Thank you for bringing that verse to my mind and even showing me where to find it without having to look it up. I believe you are telling me that the better I get to know you, the more accurately I will reflect your glory. The better I know you, the more I will grow to look like you. The only way to get to know you is to spend time with you. I want to spend all day every day with you! 

It's not practical to sit and read the Bible all day everyday. But by memorizing scripture I can have your word with me everywhere I go. In that way I can be thinking about it and having conversations with you all day.

I just realized that you want to talk with me through the scriptures I've memorized! The more scripture I learn the more you can talk with me. Of course you use other ways to talk to me as well. But the Bible has always been the main way you communicate with us. This gives me more motivation to learn your Word; to hide it in my heart.

Jeremiah 17:9

The human heart is the most deceitful of all things,

and desperately wicked.

Who really knows how bad it is?

Since my heart is so deceitful, hiding your word in it is my only defense against lying to myself constantly.

Lord, I just love how practical you are! I love that you know and understand how my brain works. You use that to show me your truths. My soul praises you! In Jesus' Name! Amen!

Lord, Give Me Sense

1 Peter 4:12-13

Dear friends don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.  Instead, be very glad - because these trials will make you partners with Christ in His suffering, and afterward you will have the wonderful joy of sharing His glory when it is displayed to all the world.

1 Peter 4:12-13

Romans 6: 16

Don't you realize that whatever you choose to obey becomes your master? You can choose sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God and receive His approval.

Romans 6:16

Micah 6:8

No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:8

Psalm 119:73

You made me; you created me.

Now give me the sense to follow your commands.

Lord, you did make me. Although this gave me a little chuckle, it contains deep truths. Since you created me, you know how my mind works. You know how I tend to get caught up in my own thoughts and forget to remember your commands. Left to my own devices, my heart and mind will lead me astray. Only YOU can give me the good sense to walk in the right paths.

Please show me today if I am listening to any other voice but yours. Help me to turn from my wicked ways. I want to be pure and holy as you are holy. I can only do that with your help. Thank you for dying on the cross to save me from my sin. I love you Jesus!

Lord, I pray for my neighbors. They are so trapped in darkness. I pray that you would draw them to the light of your love and forgiveness. 

I pray for J, that you would bless her today. Help her to see the good in others like we talked about yesterday. 

Please be with N. Help him to think more of others than himself as his prayer request asked.

Lord, I pray for my son. I pray that you would heal whatever seems to be damaged emotionally in him. Please break him out of this shell that he has encased himself in to protect himself. You know how freaked out he gets about doing things that shouldn't be such an issue. I don't know what the answer is for him, but YOU do. You created him as well. You know how his mind works. Please heal and help him so that he can grow to become a thriving man of God. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Slander

1 Peter 4:12-13

Dear friends don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.  Instead, be very glad - because these trials will make you partners with Christ in His suffering, and afterward you will have the wonderful joy of sharing His glory when it is displayed to all the world.

1 Peter 4:12-13

Romans 6: 16

Don't you realize that whatever you choose to obey becomes your master? You can choose sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God and receive His approval.

Romans 6:16

Micah 6:8

No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:8

Psalm 101:5 NKJV

Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor,

him I will destroy;

the one who has a haughty look and a proud heart, him I will not endure.

Lord, you led me to this verse this morning and showed me that I am one who secretly slanders others. Lord, I am crushed by this revelation! Even if I'd never opened my mouth to speak of the irritations that people cause in me, just thinking and dwelling on it is slandering them in secret.

Slander: to make a false spoken statement that causes people to have a bad opinion of someone. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slander, 3-17-15.

Lord, even though I never intended to be untruthful, sharing with others about how someone irritated me usually leads to false things being spoken about them. Allowing myself to dwell on the offense definitely causes me to listen to and believe the lies that my sinful nature will tell me about that person.

Lord, this is a serious thing in the media world. As a student of Journalism it was drilled into me to avoid libel and slander. A journalist's career can quickly end if they engage in this and they can be sued. You are showing me that it's a serious matter in Your Eyes as well. How many relationships has this very thing destroyed over the years? How many marriages?

Lord Jesus, please forgive me for the times that I have engaged in this sin! Please help me to turn from it through the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank you, Lord, for showing me this sin in my life. Lord, I place this sin under Your Blood right now. In Jesus Name, amen!

Where My Happiness is Found

1 Peter 4:12-13

Dear friends don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.  Instead, be very glad - because these trials will make you partners with Christ in His suffering, and afterward you will have the wonderful joy of sharing His glory when it is displayed to all the world.

1 Peter 4:12-13

Romans 6: 16

Don't you realize that whatever you choose to obey becomes your master? You can choose sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God and receive His approval.

Romans 6:16

Micah 6:8

No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:8

Psalm 119:33-40

Teach me your decrees, O LORD;

I will keep them to the end.

Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions;

I will put them into practice with all my heart.

Make me walk along the path of your commands, 

for that is where my happiness is found.

Give me an eagerness for your laws

rather than a love for money!

Turn my eyes from worthless things,

and give me life through your word.

Reassure me of your promise,

made to those who fear you.

Help me abandon my shameful ways;

for your regulations are good.

I long to obey your commandments!

Renew my life with your goodness.

Lord, this whole psalm is my prayer this morning. My happiness is truly found in walking in your ways. Help me to abandon my shameful ways! It seems that I am constantly forgetting to remember to turn and have a conversation with YOU instead of my sinful nature. Lord, I need you to imprint this on my heart and mind. Holy Spirit, you have permission to whack me over the head to get my attention to remind me of this. In Jesus Name, Amen.