08/04          Ephesians 1:5 

God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. 

ADOPTION

My prayer today is a prayer of total surrender.  Lord thank You for loving me and bringing me into your family.  You wanted to do this before I knew you and I am truly grateful. I bend my knee today Father and rise to serve you. 

08/03          Ephesians 1:4 

Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 

PERFECT

Thank you for seeing us as valuable and before we were born we were perfect in your eyes.  Thank you for making me.  Thank you for laying out a plan for my life that was pleasing to you. Help me today to glorify you Lord and to surrender my mind and my heart to you.  Jesus is worthy of all honor and glory and Lord I look up to You and declare with my life how much I love you. 

08/02          Ephesians 1:3 

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. 

PRAISE

All praise, honor and glory to the Lord God Almighty and to the Lord Jesus Christ.  He is Lord and creator, praise Him.  He blesses us with an inexhaustible grace that enables each one of us that will, become more like Jesus day by day.  Praise Him.  Glorify Him. Jesus is Lord of us.  He is Lord.  Thank you.  Praise you Lord. 

08/01          Ephesians 1:1-2 

This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus. 2 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. 

GIFT

Our Father, we pray for the gift of grace and peace today and each succeeding day.  We need you Lord in the midst of the chaotic lives that we lead. Pain and anxiety are always present and difficult to fight.  We know you are here, and we know your strength is available for us.  Help us today Father to let you equip us and fill us with your presence giving us the grace and peace that we need to lead lives that are focused on YOU. 

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.