Your Supreme Sacrifice

Dear God,

I bow my head before You, Lord Jesus. Because You are sinless, but You took on my sins and that of the whole world, and I cannot think of the right words to thank You enough for Your supreme sacrifice.

This afternoon, DS, DD, and I talked about heaven, and how that place is -- it's purity, beauty, and perfection. We talked about how You were a willing servant to leave Your throne in heaven, come to Earth, and suffer unspeakable hardship -- and even more -- so that we all would have a way to spend eternity with You. Nothing else could be more beautiful and perfect than that act of love from You.

As for myself, Lord, I don't know if I will ever understand fully why You made that supreme sacrifice. I am unworthy of it, I know. But from my innermost being, I want to sing and shout praises to You, and to tell the whole world what You did for all of us.

He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins,
and not only for ours
but also for the sins of the whole world.
1 John 2:2

Sharing The Gift Of Salvation

Dear God,

I think my greatest responsibility as a Christian is to share the gift of salvation with other people. The Bible clearly says that it is not a choice or option. You love me as Your own daughter and saved me by Your grace and through faith alone.

Years ago, a classmate in College was willing to be a good steward of this wonderful gift that she shared Your gospel with me. Most of the time I fail and forget to minister this gift to others. Lord, I do not want to be guilty of such neglect and forgetfulness.

There is my family, my neighbors, even my own children -- so many precious people need to hear Your Word. they all need to have the same opportunity to accept You as their personal Lord and Savior. God, please make me attentive and at the same time, sensitive to each opportunity You prepare for me each day to share Your Word. Thank You, Father.

Each of you should use whatever gift
you have received to serve others,
as faithful stewards of God’s grace
in its various forms.
1 Peter 4: 10

Praying For Those Who Lead

Dear God,

Sometimes I find myself hesitating at the thought of anyone, -- other than You of course, -- having to rule over me... I often think about wanting to submit to You alone and not have to listen to other people.

As I read my Bible about the Israelites in their journey in the wilderness, I clearly see that they are against Moses' leadership. But in truth, they were grumbling about You, Lord. When we complain about those in authority over us, it's almost the same as griping against You. Most of the time I find myself fall into that trap, Lord...

My DS and DD sould also learn to respect authority. In 1 Timothy 2:1-2, Your Word says that we should bless our leaders and those in authority and to respect them, because they are Yours. Their rule is not as hard to take when I am praying for them -- for you to guide them. Show me how to encourage and to be an inspiration of peace and submission in my family, God.

Now we ask you, brothers and sisters,
to acknowledge those who work hard among you,
who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you.
Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work.
Live in peace with each other.
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13

Patient Love

Dear God,

Thank You because You have given me a wonderful example of patient love. When I am losing patience with my own children, other people in the workplace, or even with random things happening in my life, I recall how long You have waited for me to repent and turn to You. I was so slow to do that, I know...

Despite my stubbornness, You waited for me. You love me even when I would not acknowledge You presence. My heart breaks with the weight of my sin against You, Lord. I praise You and thank You for being so enduring.

Just the same, I want to learn to endure for my DS's and DD's sake... When they both do wrong, I want them to admit it immediately and ask for forgiveness. From your example with me, I know there are times I need to wait for their repentance. Please help me wait, Lord.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise,
as some understand slowness.
Instead he is patient with you,
not wanting anyone to perish,
but everyone to come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9

To See My Heavenly Father

Dear God,

Of all the promises in Your Word, my quiet time for today seems to be the most amazing because I know that if I am pure in heart, I will one day see You. That truth fills me with awe, but there is another thing that to me is even more precious than that...

You know that my own heart is aything but pure, so You provided the most perfect way to purify it: You sent Your Son to take my wickedness upon Himself and to purify my heart with His blood. Sometimes this is hard for me to grasp and fathom...

I know You love Jesus far more than I will ever be able to love my own children, yet I cannot imagine having my own DS (or DD) take on himself the wickedness of others! What a supreme sacrifice, Father. How great is Your love for me.

Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Matthew 5:8

Good Friday Reflections

Dear God,

How can my heart be perfect toward You...? On my own I am nothing. Useless. Empty. Zero. Only through You am I complete and made whole. Please direct and guide my steps, Father.

My reflection for today, Good Friday, tells me You are watching. You know and see the numerous times that I sin and when I cover it most of the time. But here at home, in front of DS and DD -- these are some of my worst times. And it makes me sad and so disappointed with myself when I don't set a good example for them.

Lord, please make my heart perfect. I know I am still a long way from it, but take my hand, hold it, and give me strength. Be strong for me when I don't measure up -- which is most of the time -- I know that the only way to achieve my goal is through You alone, so please don't take Your eyes away from me... More than anywhere else, I want and need a heart from you in my home. Thank You, Father.

For the eyes of the LORD
range throughout the earth
to strengthen those
whose hearts are
fully committed to him.
You have done a foolish thing,
and from now on you will be at war.
2 Chronicles 16:9

Don't Fall

Dear God,

You have given us so many warnings about the dangers and pitfalls of pride, but many times, it seems we pay so little attention to them. I know that for myself, this is very true. Some days I'll start thinking that I have really arrived... I have met so many of my goals in life, and although I am far from perfect, I know tht I am a fairly strong individual. My DS and DD are the best, and life, no matter how rough, is rather great. I begin to take credit for things when I should be glorifying You. And about the time it starts happening, I crash or fall flat on my face.

Father, I know I should have learned my lesson by now, but even in that area, I'm too proud. Falling hurts, and just like everybody, I don't like it a bit. And I don't like letting pride control me. Please forgive me, Lord, and help me get rid of the pride in my life.

So, if you think you are standing firm,
be careful that you don’t fall!
1 Corinthians 10:12

A Go-Between Prayer

Dear God,

I am aware that one of the greatest gifts you have given us, Your children, is the Holy Spirit, to step-in for us during prayer time. You very know, Lord, that for many times I have stopped and prayed for the Holy Spirit to take over the reigns for me... Sometimes I get confused about the matter I am praying for, and I am almost always at a loss for words on how to pray for my request properly.

Other times it is somewhat like the feeling of fear that prevents me from putting words into my prayers. I know that it has been especially true because I have tried to completely give my DS and DD to You, and I wanted to hoard and care for them myself, especially when they are away for me. Occasionally I try to pray and say what I need or desire, and I just get stuck.

Thank You, Holy Spirit, for intervening and for making my requests better than I ever could.

In the same way,
the Spirit helps us in our weakness.
We do not know what we ought to pray for,
but the Spirit himself intercedes for us
through wordless groans.
Romans 8:26

Set Apart

Dear God,

Sometimes I just couldn't believe it... My Bible quiet-time reading for today says that You chose me from the creation of the world. That means from the beginning of time, You very well knew that one day I would belong entirely to You. I find that too much for me to understand. You, the God of all creation, chose me to be made holy through the blood of Your Son, Jesus. You set me apart, Lord!

My praises are not enough to express what I truly feel for You, for all the powerful, mighty, amazing and wondrous things You have done for me. I probably will never understand what You saw in me...

To You, Father, I am precious. To me, You are beyond words. I praise You Lord, with all my being.

But you are a chosen people,
a royal priesthood,
a holy nation,
God’s special possession,
that you may declare
the praises of him
who called you out of darkness
into his wonderful light.
1 Peter 2:9

The Power Within Me

Dear God,

It is almost hard to believe, but I asked You for one simple request, and You gave me far than I ever expected. My quiet time verse for today tells me clearly that You do this because of the power working within me.

You are indeed the power that works in me; Your Spirit is a part of me, and that same great Spirit guides my thoughts and actions. Thank you so much for that. I do not know what I would ever do if I had to live my life on my own.

Not only does Your inner power affect me. I can see it at work in both my children too as they grow in You, God. Your Spirit residing inside us is a life-changing power that will always be available to us wherever we are. Thank You for this indescribable gift.

Now to him who is able to do
immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to his power
that is at work within us.
Ephesians 3:20

Being Happy Through Perseverance

Dear God,

Whining all day. That's all I ever seem to do. I'm pretty sure You get tired of me never being satisfied on so many things. When things are going well, I complain about not getting the right amount of spiritual growth in my life. Or worse, about not getting more of the good fortune. And when things are going wrong, I complain about the trial. Oftentimes I think about how You can still love me when I am so weak and impatient to be more like You each day.

Today, I was cranky and unpleasant to DS and DD. Both of them were sort of whining because they wanted their own way on something. I clearly saw myself reflected in both of them. Then I remembered Your prophets and soon realized how my very own troubles are nothing compared to others.

Please make my complaining heart still, Lord. Fill me instead with rejoicing. You are refining me each day, I know, and I want to teach my children patience by my own example. Give me the strength I need for this task, God.

As you know, we consider blessed
those who have persevered.
You have heard of Job's perseverance
and have seen what the Lord finally brought about.
The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
James 5:11

Teaching DS And DD Obedience

Dear God,

I personally think that my quiet time for today is every parent's favorite pasage in the Bible. As parents we all want these to become our kids' life verses. The thing is, we seem to just expect it to happen right on... We fail or most of the time forget to realize that we, too, as parents, need to have an active part in this obedience.

I want DS and DD to know what DH and I expect from both of them and then obey (especially without delay!). Lord, please guide and support us to build and establish the right reward and discipline system. For me, I guess the most difficult virtue of this education is our own consistency. DH and I really need strength in that area, Lord.

I also need to show DS and DD how important obedience is by being obedient myself - to You and to others in authority over me. Thank You for helping me in this effort.

Children,
obey your parents in the Lord,
for this is right.
“Honor your father and mother” —
which is the first commandment with a promise —
“that it may go well with you
and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."
Ephesians 6:1-3

That Kind Of Family Faith

Dear God,

Reading about Timothy in the Bible makes me admire him a lot. Timothy was a man full of deep faith, and that very faith came from his grandmother, who passed it on to his mother, who in turn, also passed it on to Timothy! And because of that unwavering faith, Timothy was able to accomplish great things for You.

When DS and DD all grown up, I also want them to serve you, Lord. But I know that they can only do that if they have true faith in You alone. Please guide me so that I can be an example to them, like Eunice was to Timothy. And when that time comes into my life too, let me be an example to my grandchildren as well!

What greater task could I have than to make sure DS and DD are introduced to You, especially during their growing up years? Help me live so that they will want this kind of faith in You.

I am reminded of your sincere faith,
which first lived in your grandmother Lois
and in your mother Eunice and,
I am persuaded, now lives in you also.
2 Timothy 1:5

Music Monday #52 ~ I See You Lord

Thanks to Shawntele of Saved by Grace, for this wonderful meme. Although Shawntele has said farewell to her Music Monday meme last Dec. 27th, I have decided to post a video every Monday thereon, to complete and finish 52 weeks since I started doing this.

Now I have completed all those 52 weeks of sharing my favorite videos for one whole year. It is now time to move on and meet new friends through other memes. I hope to see you too in my other blog site, Stories From my Garden. Thank you for sharing your videos along with me; it has been a great year of music-sharing and singing for the Lord. God bless us all... :)



I'm so blessed my Lord
I can see you
In all the lovely things
So fine and true
I see you in the beauty
Of the flowers and the rain
I see you between the lines
Of a sweet refrain
I'm so blessed my Lord
I can see you
Even when I'm lonely and in pain
I see you in the beauty of the stars at night
I see you in my life
I feel all right
I see you Lord
In sorrow and in happiness
I see you in the glory
Of sweet success
I see you Lord
Every hour, everyday
I can see you Lord
Whenever I pray
I'm so blessed my Lord
I can see you
In the smile of a baby
Sweet and true
I can see you in the eyes
Of my very best friends
I see you in these bonds
Just like your love that never ends
I see you Lord
In sorrow and in happiness
I see you in the glory
Of sweet success
I see you Lord
Every hour, everyday
I can see you Lord
Whenever I pray
I see you Lord
In sorrow and in happiness
I see you in the glory
Of sweet success
I see you Lord
Every hour, everyday
I can see you Lord
Whenever I pray
I pray...
I can see you Lord
Whenever I pray...
I see you Lord...

Music Monday #51 ~ Soothing Sounds - Love

Thanks to Shawntele of Saved by Grace, for this wonderful meme. Although Shawntele has said farewell to her Music Monday meme last Dec. 27th, I will still post a video every Monday until I complete and finish 52 weeks since I started doing this.

May our LOVE in the Lord grow as we watch this relaxing ocean waves and nature sounds video...



With one hand
strike my foes,
With your other hand
save me.
Finish what you started in me, God.
Your love is eternal...
Psalm 138:8
The Message