Friday, August 26, 2011

Help Me Control My Anger


Dear God,

I know that in all my numerous foolishness and meaness, I have caused You so many reasons to be angry at me. But You very well know how to handle anger , and of course, too many times always, I don't... If my DS or DD disobeys, or if DH does something that annoys me, I have a difficult time controlling my temper. And too often always, I harbor a deep, wounding anger throughout the day. Believe me God, all I want and pray for, is for us to go to bed so we can start a-fresh the next day...

But Lord, instead of waiting for another day, I know that You want me to start fresh today -- even before the sun sets in the horizon... In Your infinite wisdom, You know that it will help my whole family if that happens. Please help me keep that in my mind and heart. Please lend me a hand so that I can handle anger the way You do. Help me not to lose my temper with my DS, DD, or DH, and please give me the grace to forgive today... Amen.

"In your anger do not sin”:
Do not let the sun go down
while you are still angry...
Ephesians 4:26

Friday, August 19, 2011

Casting Everything To You


Dear God,

If I completely trust You for my eternal and spiritual salvation, why don't I trust You for my daily needs? If I were totally honest, I would say that I defnitely know that I can do nothing about my salvation other than accept You as my personal Lord and Savior. But -- when it comes to my everyday, daily concerns, I often feel that there is something I can and should be doing...

A large part of it has something to do with my DS and DD. I feel that if I don't worry about them, and do something about it, they won't turn out right. I also know that in reality, my job is to pray everyday for them and bring them up according to Your Word. Then I must totally surrender them to You and trust You to do the work in their young lives.

Lord, please instill in me the peace and stillness that comes from casting all my cares on You.

Cast all your anxiety on him
because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7

Friday, August 12, 2011

Wisdom From Your Word


Dear God,

As much as I need Your wisdom in the many, everyday decisions I make (and face) concerning my family, I need it even more so for spiritual matters. Although I have been a Christian for many years, I still have many questions and also much to learn. As I read and study and hear about Your Word, still I need to receive a clear understanding of what You are saying to me through it.

Lord, I want the wisdom and the ability to discern and apply Your Word in my life, and I want to use it to teach my DS and DD. I know that it is Your will for me to understand Your Word, and I also know that You have given me the Holy Spirit to guide me. I pray hard that I will be able to take advantage of this great blessing to bless others around me.

For this reason,
since the day we heard about you,
we have not stopped praying for you.
We continually ask God
to fill you with the knowledge of his will
through all the wisdom and understanding
that the Spirit gives...
Colossians 1:9

Friday, August 5, 2011

Thanks To You


Dear God,

The language I speak is not enough to tell You what I want to say fully. I cannot begin to find the exact words to thank You for the many successes I have and received in my life. You are truly awesome, Lord.

The victory this devotional verse tells me this evening is so amazing. I even pointed this out to my DS and DD -- that we don't have to rely on our own abilities or the abilities of others -- we only have to wait on You, Lord. You are truly the mighty One -- the only One who helps us triumph over the whole world.

There is totally no condemnation for us when we believe in You. The covering of the blood of Jesus helps us to prevail over anything, and we never have to fear anymore. Thank You for giving us this victory, Lord.

But thanks be to God!
He gives us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:57