New things from Old

This deployment is different in so many ways. God is blessing me with the strength I gained from trials. I had to give it to Him. It was far to big for me to carry. That was not easy, I am very stubborn. Now I know I can not do it without Him. I am not alone.

Father,
I pray that You meet the lonely EOD tonight and let them be aware of Your presence. Let them see that You can make new things from old. Renew and refresh weary spirits.
In Jesus' name,
Amen



Ezekiel 36:26
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

Peace

Common word. Do you have any? Do you know what it is? Do you want some? In the bible study Beautiful Offering Angela Thomas describes peace as " a sense of God's wholeness, knowing everything is comming together". That means in the middle of crazy right when you want to freak out God can give you peace. It happens in situations when you know you should be a mess. It can only come from Him and He wants that for you!

Philippians 4:7 (New International Version)
7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Father<
We live in a world of noise and chaos. I pray Your peace into the lives of these people. Show them how they can have real peace through You in any circumstance.
In Jesus' name<
Amen

Judgement

I'm realizing that I struggle with judgement. I don't want to judge people but I do. I think it is a self protective thing. We need to have boundaries. DO we push people away because of weakness?

Matthew 7:3
"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?

Father,
Bring me out of old habits that do not honor You. Let me rid myself of thinking of others that I don't even see that I am doing. Help me take those thoughts captive and renew my mind. Let me see people that I judge with Your eyes. Give me Your discernment to see how to be involved with those who are so different. Help me to show the mercy to others that You have shown me.
In Jesus' name,
Amen

back in the saddle

We are back into deployment mode again. Oh, I did not want to be here again. SO we are adjusting and re-whatevering.. We tend to take 10 days of nothing to just sit before jumping into life again. I wonder if anyone else has a routine for making the switch. It really is a different life and I don't know that it can be explained to someone who has never done it. I know God grows me in amazing ways during these times. So, bring it on!

Isaiah 58: 11-12
The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthn your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.

Lord,
Be soverign in my life during this time. Let me please You with my choices and my attitude. Grow me where You need to grow me. Protect my husband and guard him in all his ways. I pray for other families at different stages of this journey let them find encouragement and hope in you. I praise You for the miracles that You have planned.
In Jesus' name,
Amen

why pray?

His wife was dying and he knew it. She had been his tower of strength and independance. Now she was frail and forgetful and couldn't care for herself. My grandfather asked me " why do we need to pray when God does what He is going to do anyway". I was not prepared to answer a question that I did not know the answer to. In my panicked mind I asked God for the words. I replied that we need to pray so that we can deal with the things that He allows. I learned from the words I spoke that day. It was my last visit with my grandparents.

Why would I share such a thing? Because it's true. We are getting ready for yet another deployment. It stinks. God allows it so it must be for good. I need to pray to have the strength to deal with it. I know He will give it to me.

James 1:1-3
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

Father,
teach me to sit at your feet and hear what You want me to know I am willing. My situation feels heavy today. Help me to consider this joy because You are in control of all things. Bless the EOD people as they do their jobs and bless the family that encourages them. We do not know our future but you do Lord. Your word says we will face trials. Show us that we do not face them without You.
In Jesus' name,
Amen

Father

So, I have yet to see a father's day card that says something like " the best thing that I learned from you was to not end up like you". Ouch. Doesn't sound kind. What if it is true? Not all of us had a father that we trusted ,or one that valued us. Or if they did maybe they didn't show it. This is not about getting on the "poor me" train. If your father did not act like a father God knows. He knows why he allowed you to live that. Ask God how to respond to that now and know He can fill in any gaps in your life. He can be your father ,and give you new eyes to see your earthly father in a new way. Seek His wisdom, He is the only perfect father.

Proverbs 4:10 Listen, y son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many. I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.


Father God,
Lord let us accept you as our perfect father. I pray that these EOD people see good the thier earthly fathers. Let them grow in forgiveness where you call them to do that. Let the EOD Dad's have a fathers' heart twards their children. Show them how to live out that very important role that You have called them to. We know that through you all things are possible. Give us your eyes for our Dad. I thank You Lord for being the ultimate father and never leaving or forsaking us. Help us to hear your wisdom.

In Jesus' name,
Amen

mindful of me?

When I used to hear I used to hear stuff about God I knew that it wasn't for me. I would hear "except you " after every sentiment. It went something like this " God loves all sinners" and I would hear "except you".
It was attached to every "religious" statement that I heard. I guess I just accepted myself as unlovable. I figured that if I was loved then I wouldn't have been through the difficult circumstances that I had faced. Eventually I had to really be broken to accept the truth. It is that understanding that drives me to tell you that you are not the exception. God loves you right now in this moment as you are right now! No exception!

Psalm 8:4
what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?

Father,
Help us to see that You love us as we are right now. You can bless us and heal us in the messes we make for ourselves. You are bigger than anything we face. Lord, I pray that if anyone sees themself as unloveable that You destroy that lie. Tear down the walls for them as you had done for me. Be with these EOD people and let them see You around them. Breathe Your life into any unbelief.
In Jesus' name,
Amen