07/31          Psalm 129:1-8

1 From my earliest youth my enemies have persecuted me. Let all Israel repeat this: 2 From my earliest youth my enemies have persecuted me, but they have never defeated me. 3 My back is covered with cuts, as if a farmer had plowed long furrows. 4 But the LORD is good; he has cut me free from the ropes of the ungodly. 5 May all who hate Jerusalem be turned back in shameful defeat. 6 May they be as useless as grass on a rooftop, turning yellow when only half grown, 7 ignored by the harvester, despised by the binder. 8 And may those who pass by refuse to give them this blessing: “The LORD bless you; we bless you in the LORD ’s name.”

BLESS

Oh Lord bless me today.  Speak a word of joy and peace into my life.  Help me to hear You as you guide me.  Life is hard but You, Father, make life worth living.  In You my Lord is hope.  In You Lord is joy and peace and accomplishment.  Thank you Lord for the breath of life today.  I love you. 

07/30          Psalm 128:1-6

1 How joyful are those who fear the LORD — all who follow his ways! 2 You will enjoy the fruit of your labor. How joyful and prosperous you will be! 3 Your wife will be like a fruitful grapevine, flourishing within your home. Your children will be like vigorous young olive trees as they sit around your table. 4 That is the LORD ’s blessing for those who fear him. 5 May the LORD continually bless you from Zion. May you see Jerusalem prosper as long as you live. 6 May you live to enjoy your grandchildren. May Israel have peace!

JOY

My life is up and down so much that chaos often seems to have the upper hand. Just when I think things are balancing out another blow slams my life.  I need you Lord to guide my mind and my heart that I might stay focused on You and committed to the task you have called me to do.  I want to have that healthy fear of you Lord, you are so mighty and glorious and at the same time understand how much you love me.  I pray that the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart will be pleasing to you Father, in Jesus name!

07/29          Psalm 127:1-5

1 Unless the LORD builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the LORD protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good. 2 It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones. 3 Children are a gift from the LORD ; they are a reward from him. 4 Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior’s hands. 5 How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them! He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates.

WORK

Father I need to know how to balance work and home; relaxation and study; I need your wisdom, mercy, grace and understanding so that the life I live will please and honor You.  People around me need peace.  Guide me to be a peace bearer.  People count with you Lord, help me to understand that they count with me. People count. 

07/28          Psalm 126:1-6

1 When the LORD brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream! 2 We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the LORD has done for them.” 3 Yes, the LORD has done amazing things for us! What joy! 4 Restore our fortunes, LORD, as streams renew the desert. 5 Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. 6 They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.

PLANT

Help me to plant my heart and mind in your work Father.  I’m slow and self-centered, help me to be ready for the daily battle and to stand in your strength when evil challenges me.  Help me to know sin when I see it and not give in to the world, the flesh or the devil.  It is hard most days Lord to face the chaos and not get overrun.  Plant me Lord in your work and guide me every step I take.  I am yours Lord, make me wise, merciful, gracious and kind.  Make me more like Jesus. 

07/27          Psalm 125:1-5

1 Those who trust in the LORD are as secure as Mount Zion; they will not be defeated but will endure forever. 2Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people, both now and forever. 3 The wicked will not rule the land of the godly, for then the godly might be tempted to do wrong. 4 O LORD, do good to those who are good, whose hearts are in tune with you. 5 But banish those who turn to crooked ways, O LORD. Take them away with those who do evil. May Israel have peace!

TRUST

Father, you are here and are the only reason I can stand.  Lord walk with me.  Heal me.  Give me the courage I need for I am weak.  Cleanse me from my sin.  Wash me and make me white as snow.  I crave your peace.  I trust you. Help me Lord in my unbelief and walk me in the everlasting way.  You Lord, I trust you. 

07/26          Psalm 124:1-8

1 What if the LORD had not been on our side? Let all Israel repeat: 2 What if the LORD had not been on our side when people attacked us? 3 They would have swallowed us alive in their burning anger. 4 The waters would have engulfed us; a torrent would have overwhelmed us. 5 Yes, the raging waters of their fury would have overwhelmed our very lives. 6 Praise the LORD, who did not let their teeth tear us apart! 7 We escaped like a bird from a hunter’s trap. The trap is broken, and we are free! 8Our help is from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

SIDE

The Lord is on our side therefore we can cry out to Him: HELP LORD!  Oh Lord that’s the best I can do today.  I’m hurting and overwhelmed: HELP LORD!  I KNOW YOU are on my side!  I need you Lord to stand with me and carry me through this mess-I just have no strength.  HELP LORD! THANK YOU. 

07/25          Psalm 123:1-4

1 I lift my eyes to you, O God, enthroned in heaven. 2We keep looking to the LORD our God for his mercy, just as servants keep their eyes on their master, as a slave girl watches her mistress for the slightest signal. 3 Have mercy on us, LORD, have mercy, for we have had our fill of contempt. 4 We have had more than our fill of the scoffing of the proud and the contempt of the arrogant.

MERCY

Dear Lord I know I’m guilty.  Guilty of a thousand, thousand sins against You.  Mercy Lord, mercy.  I need forgiveness and it can only come from a loving and merciful Lord. Thank you for forgiving me. Please help me to keep control of my heart and my head and guide my feet to follow your path.  Jesus is God’s everything.  Thank you Lord. 

07/24          Psalm 122:1-9

1 I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD .” 2 And now here we are, standing inside your gates, O Jerusalem. 3 Jerusalem is a well-built city; its seamless walls cannot be breached. 4 All the tribes of Israel—the LORD ’s people— make their pilgrimage here. They come to give thanks to the name of the LORD, as the law requires of Israel. 5 Here stand the thrones where judgment is given, the thrones of the dynasty of David. 6Pray for peace in Jerusalem. May all who love this city prosper. 7 O Jerusalem, may there be peace within your walls and prosperity in your palaces. 8 For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “May you have peace.” 9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek what is best for you, O Jerusalem.

PEACE

Jesus, I want peace and I want to bring peace when I connect with others. Forgive my willfulness and encourage me towards gentleness and forgiveness.  Life is so harsh, help me Lord to be kind and understanding.  I want to be usable and useful for your glory. 

07/23          Colossians 4:11-17

11 Jesus (the one we call Justus) also sends his greetings. These are the only Jewish believers among my co-workers; they are working with me here for the Kingdom of God. And what a comfort they have been! 12 Epaphras, a member of your own fellowship and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. He always prays earnestly for you, asking God to make you strong and perfect, fully confident that you are following the whole will of God.  13 I can assure you that he prays hard for you and also for the believers in Laodicea and Hierapolis.  14 Luke, the beloved doctor, sends his greetings, and so does Demas.  15Please give my greetings to our brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church that meets in her house. 16 After you have read this letter, pass it on to the church at Laodicea so they can read it, too. And you should read the letter I wrote to them. 17 And say to Archippus, “Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you.” 18 HERE IS MY GREETING IN MY OWN HANDWRITING —PAUL . Remember my chains. May God’s grace be with you.

PRAY

Father help me to pray for my family, friends and need.  The world is a needy place and there are so many poor.  I do pray for relationships.  Train me to be winsome and gentle always quick to encourage and never discourage others. Thank you Lord for your encouragement of me. 

07/22          Colossians 4:7-10

7 Tychicus will give you a full report about how I am getting along. He is a beloved brother and faithful helper who serves with me in the Lord’s work.  8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose—to let you know how we are doing and to encourage you.  9 I am also sending Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, one of your own people. He and Tychicus will tell you everything that’s happening here. 10Aristarchus, who is in prison with me, sends you his greetings, and so does Mark, Barnabas’s cousin. As you were instructed before, make Mark welcome if he comes your way. 

WELCOME

I pray Father that today I will make folks welcome.  That I will be a helper with a kind word and a gentle spirit.  People need the Lord and I pray that I can be a winsome witness for Jesus.  I want to grow in usability Lord, train me today.  I pray for my family, my friends and the hurting in my community.  Calm the chaos.  Dispel the rampant evil.  In Jesus name Lord, In Jesus name.