Become the Blessing

Today is Thursday, the twenty-third of December, 2021, the fourth Thursday of Advent.

Peace of Christ be with you!

Day 23,296

Only two more days until Christmas!!

It is Christmas Eve Eve. Or as one Facebook friend stated, “Christmas Adam.” If you get that, good on you!

So, yesterday went great at the library, another great day in circulation. I received a couple more gifts from librarians. Our circ manager gave us all a festive pitcher/planter thing, with matching shears and paring knife, along with a bag of crunchy goodness made of pretzels, peanuts, and Chex cereal. And one of the other librarians sneaked in and handed me a bag with some Bath and Body Works Warm Vanilla Sugar hand soap. She probably doesn’t know this, but Warm Vanilla Sugar practically melts me. It’s my all time favorite BBW scent. Oh, and there was a handful of Lindor chocolates in that bag, as well. Yum!! Next year, I’m going to have to figure out something to give all of them.

Tuesday night, I got a lovely (and quite comfy) pair of soft, warm socks, a wooden ornament, and a little package of magnets with book designs on them.

Have I mentioned, lately, how much I love working at this library?

The Bundtinis that I took to work were quite the hit. I wound up eating the last one, though, because no one would take the last one. Hahaha!

Today, the cooking will begin. This evening, there will be fudge, and at least two crescent roll pull-apart Christmas trees made (one savory, one sweet). We may make four of them, if we have enough pans. If not, then we will make two more tomorrow night, after the Christmas Eve festivities are over.

C is working from home again, today, for which I applaud her. Especially considering that the traffic may not quite be back to normal, yet, today, after this happened, yesterday!

That is Loop 820 in North Richland Hills, at around 8:00 AM, yesterday. All lanes, both east and west-bound, were closed for a while. I passed by at around 9:00-ish, on the way to the library and it was still burning. I could not see what was burning, because there were high walls blocking the view at that particular point of the freeway. However, at that point, the west-bound lanes were still closed, as well as both directions of express (toll) lanes. The walls near the event were completely blackened by the smoke.

Apparently (and this is the best information I could find) there was an accident involving a fuel tanker and an empty animal waste truck (and possibly one other vehicle). There are reports that say one person died at the scene and another person was air-flighted to a hospital with critical burns. As of 6:30 last night, the west-bound express lane was still closed, and traffic was extremely heavy on the normal lanes. I was able to avoid most of that by exiting early.

Later today, I need to take some Social Security documents and fax them to the SS folks. I don’t know why they still insist on faxing, rather than having them scanned to an email. It would be much simpler to do that. I have a printer that will fax, but we have no land line at our house. So I suppose I will go to the Hurst Library to do it, after 10:00 AM. I know how to use that system, and I suppose there is an outside chance that I won’t have to pay, although I probably would not ask for that. If they offer, I won’t turn it down, though. Heh.

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL AND PRAYERS

Let Me Forgive, by Daryl Madden

Let me come to
This realization
Here to reset
My expectations…

They were so selfish
So, I sacrificed
Let me forgive them
For not being Christ

They didn’t care
Their love was a fraud
Let me forgive them
For not being God

They gave bad advice
Wish they didn’t share it
Let me forgive them
For not being the Spirit

And forgiving myself
For I’m one in the same
In the love of the Three
Let us remain

The point is, not a one of us is perfect. We are not Jesus, we are not God, we are not the Holy Spirit. We are all flawed, so we all should forgive ourselves and one another.

Please check out more of Daryl’s inspirational poetry at the link provided above.

"I have said these things to you, 
that in me you may have peace. 
In the world you will have tribulation. 
But take heart; I have overcome the world." 
(John 16:33 ESV)

Today I am grateful:

1. for the peace that I have in my soul, because of Jesus Christ
2. for the gift of joy in my life
3. for the love of God that is in my life
4. for the ongoing desire to share that peace, love, and joy with all who live in my world
5. that whatever I have received from God, I must give away to others

So do not fear, for I am with you; 
do not be dismayed, for I am your God. 
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 
(Isaiah 41:10 NIV)

God is our refuge and strength, 
an ever-present help in trouble. 
(Psalms 46:1 NIV)

As you go, proclaim this message: 
'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' 
Heal the sick, raise the dead, 
cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. 
Freely you have received; freely give. 
(Matthew 10:7-8 NIV)

Very truly I tell you, 
whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing,
 and they will do even greater things than these, 
because I am going to the Father.
(John 14:12 NIV)

“Whatever you have received from God, you must give to others. If you’ve been loved, you must love. And if you’ve been loved without having deserved that love, then you must love those who don’t deserve your love. If you’ve been given joy, your life must bring joy to others. . . . if you’ve received that blessing, your life must become a blessing. And if you received that gift, your life must become a gift.”

(From The Book of Mysteries, by Jonathan Cahn)

Scriptures and Prayers from Seeking God’s Face: Praying with the Bible through the Year

ADVENT – DAY TWENTY-SIX

INVITATION

Bring us back, O God! 
Show us your mercy, 
and we will be saved! 
(Psalms 80:3 GNB)

As I pause, this morning, I reflect on the peace, love, and joy that comes from knowing God, through the Son, and by the Spirit. I reflect on the perfection of the Trinity and how that plays into my life. I acknowledge that this knowledge is unfathomable.

BIBLE SONG

I will sing of the LORD's great love forever; 
with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known 
through all generations. 
I will declare that your love stands firm forever,
 that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself. 
You said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one, 
I have sworn to David my servant, 
'I will establish your line forever
 and make your throne firm through all generations.'" 

He will call out to me, 'You are my Father, 
my God, the Rock my Savior.' 
And I will appoint him to be my firstborn, 
the most exalted of the kings of the earth.
 I will maintain my love to him forever, 
and my covenant with him will never fail. 
I will establish his line forever, 
his throne as long as the heavens endure. 
(Psalms 89:1-4, 26-29 NIV)

BIBLE READING

Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith— to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.
(Romans 16:25-27 NIV)

DWELLING: SILENCE AND MEDITATION

As I leisurely read these passages again, I look for words or ideas that stir within me, lingering over them, giving them full attention. Do I find something I need to ask God about? I pray my life to God, taking refreshment in His presence.

Father, the sense of peace, love, and joy in my heart is almost overwhelming. Certainly, there are things in my life, in this world, that trouble me, that unsettle me, but they seem distant at this moment. C is experiencing turmoil in her work, at the moment, and I pray for Your peace to settle in that place. I pray for Your intervention in the circumstance, that the issue they are furiously working one would be fixed, seemingly out of nowhere.

I will sing of Your great love forever, Father. With my lips I will make known Your great faithfulness, and Your mercies, Your great mercies, which never fail and are new every morning when we awake from our sleep. The mercy exists in the fact that we wake up at all! I will sing of the joy in my soul, and the peace in my heart. These are things that will be sung from my heart for all eternity. I so look forward to the days when I will be singing them in person with You.

Thank You for the encouragement and admonition that I have nothing to fear. You are my eternal help; I fall down, You pick me up; I stumble, You are there to catch me. Sometimes, I intentionally walk off of the path, and You gently guide me back. I am spared from Your wrath by the gift of Jesus. Help me to gift that back to others, as well. Your steadfast love never fails.

Help me to be a blessing and a gift to others today. Give us spiritual renewal and refreshment as we walk in Your kingdom. Help us to truly understand the full meaning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Bring about racial peace and reconciliation in our world. And may You lead us into new relationships with people who do not share our beliefs.

"Wise God,
thank You that Christ's incarnation was not a quick reaction to surprising circumstances but part of Your eternal purpose,
the unfolding of Your long-ago decreed will.
To think that my salvation is part of Your grand eternal purpose leaves me stunned with joy-filled awe.
Amen."

BLESSING

"May the tender mercy of our God,
by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven,
shine on those living in darkness and guide our feet into the path of peace."
(based on Luke 1:78-79)

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Grace and peace, friends.

Comfort in Affliction

Good morning. Today is . . . um . . . Tuesday! That’s it. Tuesday, the twenty-first of December, 2021. It’s the first day of winter, and the fourth Tuesday of Advent.

Peace of Christ be with you!

Day 23,294

Only four more days until Christmas!!

Yes, today is the first official day of Winter. You wouldn’t know it from the weather forecast, though. It’s projected to be 63 degrees here, today, and progressively getting warmer until Christmas day, when it is predicted to be 87 degrees.

Yes, you read that right. EIGHTY-SEVEN DEGREES! Almost 90 degrees on Christmas Day! Ugh!!

C and I had a lovely time, last night, at the Winewood Grill in Grapevine, having dinner with her work people. Her top boss and the guy directly under him were both there, and both so very gracious and friendly. We sat across her second in command and his wife, and had great conversation with all of them. The food was delicious. We had some calamari, crab cakes, and some kind of bruschetta for appetizers (those were pre-ordered). For the main meal, I chose a Chilean Sea Bass from the daily specials. It had some kind of creamy sauce on top, on a bed of asparagus, accompanied by two scallops and three shrimp. The Sea Bass was pretty amazing to me. I don’t believe I have ever had that particular fish before. C opted for the ribeye (of course), which came with some au gratin potatoes that were simply “to die for.” I had a few bites of the potatoes, and they may have been the highlight of the evening. We even brought some home to share with S. C also had some ribeye left over. I did not have anything left from my plate.

As for the rest of the day, I feel like I got a good bit accomplished. I got presents wrapped and stockings stuffed (boy are they stuffed . . . I may or may not have gone a little overboard, there), and I got the ingredients for C to make Kahlua fudge this year. We haven’t had that in a couple years, but we’re going to make some Thursday night.

Today, as soon as I finish this, I’m going over to the NE Mall area (not in the mall) to a Nothing Bundt Cakes place. I got a gift certificate at the Hurst Way Conference, back in October, for a dozen “bundtinis,” which I am going to take to the library tomorrow, and then I have decided to get a full-sized cake for Friday and Saturday’s Christmas celebrations.

Come January 1, we are definitely getting serious again, but, for now, we are enjoying ourselves immensely.

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL AND PRAYERS

Jesus answered, 
"The most important is, 
'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 
And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' 
The second is this: 
'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' 
There is no other commandment greater than these."
(Mark 12:29-31 ESV)

A new commandment I give to you, 
that you love one another: 
just as I have loved you, 
you also are to love one another. 
(John 13:34 ESV)

Today I am grateful:

1. that God sent His Son into the world, that we might know His love, that we might live through Him, and that we might love one another
2. that God is able to do more abundantly than all we could ask or even imagine (Ephesians 3:20)
3. that God comforts us in all our affliction (2 Corinthians 1)
4. that God calls us to bear one another's burdens, and, in so doing, provide some of that aforementioned comfort
5. for the promise of seeing His face

"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, 
and death shall be no more, 
neither shall there be mourning, 
nor crying, 
nor pain anymore, 
for the former things have passed away." 
(Revelation 21:4 ESV)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 
who comforts us in all our affliction, 
so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, 
with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
(2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ESV)

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
(Galatians 6:2 ESV)

For now we see in a mirror dimly, 
but then face to face. 
Now I know in part; 
then I shall know fully, 
even as I have been fully known. 
(1 Corinthians 13:12 ESV)

They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.
(Revelation 22:4 ESV)

Scriptures and Prayers from Seeking God’s Face: Praying with the Bible through the Year

ADVENT – DAY TWENTY-FOUR

INVITATION

Restore us, O God; 
let your face shine,
 that we may be saved! 
(Psalms 80:3 ESV)

As I pause during this quiet time, I ponder the many promises of God, embracing His comfort, seeking His face, which I will eventually see in glory.

BIBLE SONG

Hear us, Shepherd of Israel, 
you who lead Joseph like a flock. 
You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, 
shine forth before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh. 
Awaken your might; 
come and save us. 

Restore us, O God; 
make your face shine on us, 
that we may be saved. 
(Psalms 80:1-3 NIV)

BIBLE READING

And Mary said: 
"My soul glorifies the Lord 
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 
for he has been mindful 
of the humble state of his servant. 
From now on all generations will call me blessed, 
for the Mighty One has done great things for me— 
holy is his name. 
His mercy extends to those who fear him, 
from generation to generation. 
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; 
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
 He has brought down rulers from their thrones 
but has lifted up the humble. 
He has filled the hungry with good things 
but has sent the rich away empty. 
He has helped his servant Israel, 
remembering to be merciful 
to Abraham and his descendants forever, 
just as he promised our ancestors." 
(Luke 1:46-55 NIV)

DWELLING: SILENCE AND MEDITATION

As I remind myself that I am in the presence of the Lord, I read these passages again, looking to see how God might be speaking to me through His Word. I dwell on any thoughts that the Holy Spirit brings to me, praying my life to God and allowing my heart to respond to Him. I take refreshment in His presence.

Father, even though Jesus has already come, all those years ago, as a baby, and lived and died for us, that we might be saved and walk in Your Kingdom, I am drawn more, this particular Advent season, into the thoughts of awaiting His return. I know that it’s Christmas time, when we traditionally celebrate His birth, and there is much rejoicing in this. But I am also seeing the importance of the expectation of His return, when He will set right all of the injustice and affliction in our world. Ironically, this is what the first-century Jews expected to see at His first coming.

The repeated prayer of restoration from Psalm 80, this morning . . . “Restore us, O God” . . . I see the repetition as no coincidence. While modern day Christians may not see any need to be “restored,” I can see, embedded in this, the thought of the entirety of Creation need to be restored to its proper state of perfection. And I see this taking place when Jesus returns to claim His Bride, Your Church.

But are we ready?

Make Your Church ready, Lord! Purify her! Show us the truths from Mary’s song. You have, indeed, done great things for us. You continue to do great things for us. Your Name is Holy. Your mercy extends to those who fear You, even to this day. You will scatter those who are proud, and will bring down rulers from their thrones and lift up the humble. Teach us to be humble, that we might, eventually, be lifted up. Fill the hungry with good things, Father. Remember Your promises (as if You needed reminding) to us. Help us also to remember that You are not being “slow” about keeping Your promises or returning. Rather, You are exercising great patience, and making it possible for all people to be saved. All glory to You, through the Son and by the Spirit.

Lord, please equip us to serve You in our communities and workplaces. Help us to be more concerned with serving the common good. I also lift up, specifically, all who work in education during these stressful and trying times.

"Son of David,
today I bow before You as my true King.
You subdue me by humbling Yourself as a helpless baby,
You rule me by subjecting Yourself,
You defend me through a chubby infant's arm,
and the hand of power that conquers all enemies is curled around a mother's finger.
Amen."

BLESSING

"May the tender mercy of our God,
by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven,
shine on those living in darkness and guide our feet into the path of peace."
(based on Luke 1:78-79)

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world, 
have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world,
have mercy upon us.
O, Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world,
grant us Your peace.
(Agnus Dei)

Grace and peace, friends!

Your Love Defends Me

Today is Wednesday, the twentieth of October, 2021

Peace be with you!

Day 23,232

Eighteen days until Daylight Saving Time ends

I actually had a nice time at the Hurst Way Conference, yesterday. It was informative (being that I’m still relatively new to the City of Hurst), and parts of it were quite fun. I made it in time to get breakfast (they served right up until 8:30), which was scrambled eggs, bacon and link sausage, and breakfast potatoes. It was quite good.

I sat at a table with two other part time library aides, as well as my boss, the Adult Services manager. There was also way too much candy on the table, of which we all, obviously under some kind of mind control, ate most of. Lunch was also quite good, consisting of salmon, roasted chicken, some kind of rice, and some broccoli. And a roll. And salad. If you’ve ever taken part in a buffet of this kind, you know the kind of salad, too. You know . . . the one that looks like someone went out in their back yard and gathered leaves? But it was good, especially when doused with Ranch dressing.

There was a fun presentation by a group called Positively Outrageous Service, which is based on a book by the same name. The two gentlemen who presented were Andrew Szabo and Michael Hoffman. They are co-authors of the book, along with T. Scott Gross.

There was a lot of talk about how the city made it through 2020 and the pandemic. The last Conference was two years ago. In fact, everyone in the room received a “Team Hurst Award,” which is, apparently, normally given either to an individual or a department. So we all received a gold-ish coin for that. Everyone also got a City of Hurst t-shirt, and I volunteered to participate in a “Family Feud” game, and received a copy of the game, “Hurst-Opoly,” as well as $100,000. Candy Bar. Hahaha! Oh. And I also won a prize at the end, a dozen “bundtinis” from Nothing Bundt Cakes. I plan to get those one day next week and take them to work with me. The last thing we need in this house is a bunch of mini bundt cakes.

I had started soup in the crock pot before leaving, yesterday morning, so that was our dinner. C and I watched a couple episodes of Midnight Mass on Netflix, our current binge. We have two more episodes left. It is an interesting mix of drama and supernatural, and, so far, doesn’t get overly scary. C hasn’t bailed on it, yet. It has a cool soundtrack, as well.

Then I started watching the ALCS game, Red Sox v. Astros. It was going fine for a while. Then the Astros tied the game in the eighth inning. Then they went ahead by a run in the ninth. Then Alex Cora put Martin Perez in the game to pitch. I should have turned off the TV at that point. But I didn’t. I watched Perez hand four more runs to the Astros on a silver platter before I gave up.

Here’s the thing, for anyone who cares. Perez has never been, nor will he ever be, anything more than a mediocre pitcher. He played for Texas for a while, and was never better than .500, and usually below. Why on earth the Red Sox hired him, I will never know.

Game Five will be this afternoon at 4:08, but Chris Sale is starting. This is an exercise in insanity, in my opinion. Sale has not been himself since he returned to the lineup, but I don’t know what other choice they have. Cora brought in Eovaldi in the ninth inning last night, so he’s not available to start. So I’m not optimistic about the Sox going back to Houston with a lead in the series. But then, I don’t think many of us expected them to get this far anyway.

C is back at the office today, for the second time this week. If she follows her normal schedule, she will work at the office tomorrow and at home on Friday. She went for a somewhat lengthy walk, yesterday, and seems to be okay. If I ask her, she says she is doing pretty good. I doubt, however, that she is pain-free.

Today is Information Overload Day. I’m just going to leave that there.

The word of the day is burgeon. “to grow or develop quickly; flourish.” The Internet seems to burgeon with information, whether accurate or not.

Today’s quote is from Elizabeth Barret Browning, English poet. “Who so loves believes the impossible.”

Significant birthdays on October 20:

Charles Ives, American composer, 1874-1954
Bela Lugosi, Austrian actor (Dracula), 1882-1956
Stuart Hamblen, American singer and composer (This Ole House), 1908-1989
Louis "Grandpa" Jones, American country singer (Hee Haw), 1913-1998
Art Buchwald, American author and columnist, 1925-2017
Joyce Brothers, American pop psychologist, 1927-2013
Mickey Mantle, American HoF baseball player, 1931-1995
Tom Petty, American rock singer/songwriter (American Girl, I Won't Back Down), 1950-2017
Viggo Mortensen, American actor (Lord of the Rings), 1958 (63)
Kamala Harris, US Vice President, 1964 (57)
Juan Gonzalez, Puerto Rican MLB outfielder (Texas Rangers), 1969 (52)
John Krasinski, American actor (The Office), 1979 (42)

It’s actually the rest of the Traveling Wilburys backing him on this video.

Today’s blog header photo is courtesy of Paul Militaru, from Romania, who is a wonderful photographer. You can check out his photos in the link on his name. He has graciously allowed me to feature his photos here.

TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL AND PRAYERS

If we are faithless - 
The saying is trustworthy -
He remains faithful.
(2 Timothy 2)

We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks, for your name is near. We recount your wondrous deeds.
(Psalms 75:1 ESV)

Today I am grateful:

1. that I am alive and breathing
2. that "Your name is near"
3. that You have never turned a deaf ear to me, and have always been loyal in Your love for me
4. that no temptation comes against me that I am unable to bear
5. that Your love defends me

Scriptures and Prayers from Seeking God’s Face: Praying with the Bible through the Year

ORDINARY TIME – WEEK TWENTY-TWO – DAY FOUR

INVITATION

Blessed be God: he didn’t turn a deaf ear, he stayed with me, loyal in his love.
(Psalms 66:20 MSG)

I pause, now, during this quiet moment, to reflect on His love and the blessings in my life.

BIBLE SONG

Help me, LORD my God; save me according to your unfailing love.
Let them know that it is your hand, that you, LORD, have done it.
While they curse, may you bless; may those who attack me be put to shame, but may your servant rejoice.
May my accusers be clothed with disgrace and wrapped in shame as in a cloak.

With my mouth I will greatly extol the LORD; in the great throng of worshipers I will praise him.
For he stands at the right hand of the needy, to save their lives from those who would condemn them.
(Psalms 109:26-31 NIV)

BIBLE READING

One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. The LORD said to Satan, “Where have you come from?”
Satan answered the LORD, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.”
Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”
“Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.”
The LORD said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.”
Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.
(Job 1:6-12 NIV)

DWELLING: SILENCE AND MEDITATION

As I remind myself that I sit in God’s presence, I linger over these passages, looking for words or phrases that move me, catch the attention of my spirit.

In the psalm passage, I see the idea of God holding us up when others falsely accuse us or attack us. But the piece that really sticks out to me is when he asks the Lord to let them know that it was specifically His hand that has done it. And while the psalmist doesn’t specifically state that he is being “falsely” accused, I believe it is implied.

We should not be asking God to vindicate/defend us if the accusations are well-founded. That seems to be something that a lot of folks miss. And there is also a false idea of what it means to be “attacked” or “persecuted,” in my culture.

As far as I have seen, there are no Christians being persecuted in the USA. But there are people who seem to think that, if someone disagrees with them, they are being persecuted. That’s just silly. We must be sure, I believe, that the accusations leveled against us are false. Then and only then can we be justified in asking the Lord to defend us. And then, we want everything to be for His glory, so we ask, along with the psalmist, that it be obvious that it is the hand of God performing the works.

There is debate over the story of Job, as to whether it is a real, literal, historical tale or an allegorical tale. I tend to lean toward allegory, but I will also say that I am not nearly wise enough to know for sure. Either way, though, I believe a clear lesson that is taught in the brief passage we read today is that our accuser, our enemy, has no authority to tempt us or test us, unless it is given him by God.

Satan brought an accusation to the Lord, and the Lord allowed him to test it against Job. Allegory or not, I believe the precept to be true. Nothing comes against me without God allowing it. If Satan has power to tempt me or try me, it is because the Lord has allowed him to do so. But we should note that the Lord forbad Satan to lay a hand on Job. At least at first. Later, He even allowed Satan to afflict Job, physically, but did not allow him to take his life.

The comfort this should give us is knowing that nothing comes against us without the knowledge of our Father. He also knows what we can bear. This is not the same as believing the false teaching that “God won’t allow anything that you can’t handle.” That’s baloney. But 1 Corinthians 10:13 does say, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

God is not surprised. There will never be an instance when God says, “Oh! I didn’t know Satan was going to do that!” He also, by the way, knows when we will fail, but allows this, as well, that we might grow from the experience. The key is that, as noticed in the Haiku above, from 2 Timothy, God is faithful; God is always faithful, even when we are not.

Father, I am grateful for the provision that You place over us; provision that keeps our enemy from having too much power over us. I am comforted to know that nothing comes against me that doesn’t go through You first. I am encouraged to know that You know everything that is coming my way, and that You will not allow me to be tempted beyond what I can bear. My fault comes when, even though I can bear it, I sometimes fall under it. For those times, I humbly ask forgiveness, and the opportunity to get back up and go again. But You protect us. You also defend us. As the song says, Your love defends us. Sometimes, we do feel like we are all alone, but Your love defends us. You are the strength of my soul. Your Holy Spirit is the strength of my life.

"Bruising God,
if You haven't abandoned me to chance or fortune,
then help me to understand the suffering of Job,
of this world,
of my life.
I don't know what to do with a God like You -
too free,
too wild,
too beyond my control.
I know You are not safe,
but I trust You are good.
Amen."

BLESSING

“You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
(Matthew 5:8 MSG)

The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.
(Psalms 138:8 ESV)

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
(Joshua 1:8-9 ESV)

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
(Proverbs 3:5 ESV)

I pray for peace in our nation, peace in our world. I pray for racial injustice to end, and I pray for the pandemic to be over. Above all else, though, I pray for Your will to be done, on earth as it is in heaven. For Yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!