Lift Up Mine Eyes

24" x 48" Acrylic Abstract on Canvas

by Praying Girl

Psalm 121

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer they foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD is they keeper: the LORD is they shade upon thy right hand.
The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve they soul.
The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

King James Version

Look Forward To Change

I sat by the Chiminea fire last night. It was so very peaceful. The air was cool. The backyard was lovelier than I ever remember it. The Marigolds and Petunias are still blooming as they have all Summer long. The bird feeders, the small Madonna and St. Francis statues are sweet reminders of my departed loved one. It was a pleasant evening in the crisp night air.


Dear Lord,
Thank you, Father, for that time communing with you. Watching the fire, singing Your Name. I loved the gentleness of the evening, the coolness of the Fall night. Everything is about to change as Fall approaches. For once, I look forward to change. I think I am ready for change.

Help me to keep my eyes fixed on You. I desire to be close to You. Live in my heart, in my mind, deep in my spirit. Speak to me from Your Word. Whisper Your love for me in my ear. Guide me in everything I do today. Shower me with the beauty of Your Presence all around me.

I humbly come before You robed in Your gift of salvation, repenting of my sinfulness, my weakness, my brokeness. Build me up, encourage me, fill me to overflowing with Your Holy Spirit. You are God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. I worship You with my whole being--physically, emotionally and spiritually. I am nothing without You.

You breathed life into me the moment I was born and You breathed life into me when I was baptized and You breathe life into me every day. Thank You for breathing Your Life into me this day. Thank You for this day which You have designed for me. Annoint my life. It is all a gift from You. I am so thankful for Your generous gifts.

Fill me with your creativity. Show me. Let Your beauty flow from me, through me this day, today. I pray that my endeavors bring You Glory. Bring others to You, closer to You. Use my life to bring You delight and make You happy that You created me.

I love You, Father. I love you, I love You, I love You.

Amen,
Your Praying Girl

I Opened My Mouth and Panted

I awoke this morning gripped with fear and gasping for breath. My stomach was churning and I felt as if I were paralized with doom and gloom. As I stumbled out of bed and started getting ready for work, the fear did not subside.

It was early enough that I had time to pray and write in my journal. As I wrote God a letter from my heart, I poured out my fears to Him. He listened politely and let me write it all down. When I was finished writing, I opened my Bible to the next verses in Psalms in my daily study.

God had been silent, patient and waiting to speak. And speak, He did! As I read His Words I could feel His Holy Presence and His encouragement and His everlasting love for me.

If you find yourself gripped with fear, unable to move, take courage dear friend. Open the Bible and let His Inspired Words enfold you with His everlasting love for you. Call upon His Name, and He will listen. Then allow Him to speak to your heart through His Word. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Psalm 119:129 - 149

Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.
The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.
Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.
Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.
Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.
Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.
Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments.
Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.
My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.
Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.
I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.
Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.
Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.
The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.
I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes.
I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.
I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.
Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.
Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment.



My memory verse for today: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

May God bless you today and give you hope,

Donna

Perseverance Builds Character

I was just pondering how so many people I know are suffering - loss of a job; loss of good health; loss of a friend or loved one to death; loss of or the threat of the loss of their business; loss of their self-esteem; loss of their home; loss of the freedom to make their own decisions; loss of their ability to communicate; loss due to Alzheimer's; loss of a child; loss due to drugs and/or alcohol; loss due to obesity; loss due to a disease or illness; and the list goes on and on.

For those of us who fall into any or even many of these categories, God has a message for us from His Holy Scriptures. I hope you can hang on to these words of encouragement today. I'll hold on with you, too, with hope in my heart.

"...we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." Romans 5:3-4