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

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

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

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

Bound By Your Love

Dear God,

Please comfort my heart and give me complete understanding and assurance... In this spiritual family where we belong with Christ, I should feel that I am rich in love and compassion. Instead, some of the people are critical, cold, and self-serving... That hurts, Lord.

To be honest, You have seen me in my ugliest moments -- or when I myself am critical and outright bad. During these times I am reminded afterwards that it is my pride that more oftenly causes me to become critical of others. These people are my spiritual family, God. By finding fault in them I am setting a poor example of how to belong.

Real love is kind, not prideful or self-serving. God please fill me with compassion for my fellow Christians so that I may be a godly example of love and understanding -- especially to my DS and DD. There is nothing more that I want, than to emulate your Son, Jesus.

My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart
and united in love,
so that they may have the full riches
of complete understanding,
in order that they may know the mystery of God,
namely, Christ...
Colossians 2:2

Your Everlasting Strength

Dear God,

Just how long is everlasting...? A million years...? A billion years...? A mega gazillion...? I cannot fully comprehend that length of time. And I know that my time is measured in hours, days, years, and sometimes even in minutes. Truly, the thought of "everlasting" is so vast, I cannot understand it. Explaining eternity to my DS and DD is almost impossible as I myself, could not totally grasp it.

But I can trust in You, Father, because Your strength never ever fails. It is here for all eternity. You do not weaken like I do. You are omnipotent...

The heroes that the world admire today have weaknesses. But not You, Lord. You are perfect. Your strength is everlasting. I want my DS and DD to trust You as their only hero -- their only all-wise, all-powerful, all-sufficient, mighty protector -- the One they can trust in forever and ever. I praise You, my God.

Trust in the LORD forever,
for the LORD,
the LORD himself,
is the Rock eternal.
Isaiah 26:4

Thank You Father

Dear God,

Thank You for cleansing me of my evil ways and allowing me to come out of the darkness of sin and into the light of Your salvation. If I had nothing else for which to be thankful, that would be enough. I am so blessed to be one of Your children. Thank You, Father, that many of my friends and some of my family members have found this new life in You.

I am grateful that I have the opportunity to teach my DS and DD the truths found in Your Word. I am trusting that You will open their spiritual understanding. I am looking forward to the day they will truly understand what it is to accept You as their personal Lord and Savior, and be "partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light." From that day forward I will have something else for which to thank You.

...and giving joyful thanks to the Father,
who has qualified you to share in the inheritance
of his holy people in the kingdom of light.
Colossians 1:12

Bearing The Burden

Dear God,

When you were in the garden, You prayed to have the cup of suffering taken from You. You understood sorrow, temptation, and all that we suffer here on Earth. Yet You also said in Lke 22:42, "Not my will but thine be done.""

A mother's burden can truly be heavy too, Jesus. There are days when I don't know how much longer I can go on. I try to hide this from my DS and DD, of course... So they won't get hurt too, but sometimes I just can't. The choices they sometimes make in their own lives may depend on the way I handle trials too.

Your Word says that You will provide a way of escape. You help us carry our burdens. There are others who have carried the same weight before me, and I know I must be strong. I want to lean on You, Father. Then I can also teach my DS and DD the joy of being able to trust in You completely.

No temptation has overtaken you
except what is common to mankind.
And God is faithful;
he will not let you be tempted
beyond what you can bear.
But when you are tempted,
he will also provide a way out
so that you can endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13

Instruction From Dad And Mom

Dear God,

When my DS or DD don't listen to me, I get so angry. I know I should be firmer with them and make them mind me, not ignore me, most especially at home. But sometimes, perhaps out of pure exhaustion from work, or maybe because I am sometimes too tired to get mad, my desire to discipline them melt away.

But what am I teaching them by doing this, I often reflect....? That's the problem. By allowing such leniency, I am giving them the idea that they don't have to abide by the rules. When they are grown, -- which time brings on very fast, -- they might believe that You don't require them to follow Your absolutes.

Lord, please give me the wisdom and strength in my instruction to my DS and DD. Please help me to be firm and consistent when I need to be, yet tender and giving as Your teaching allows. Guide me in how to show love for You and Your laws as well... Amen.

Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction
and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
Proverbs 1:8

Being Blessed During Persecution

Dear God,

I don't exactly know how I can do this... How can I be blessed when, for example, people are upset with me, or dislike me because I believe in You? At times I also keep thinking of the way this is affecting my DS and DD. Because I want them to see me --- their Mother -- as a godly woman, but if they begin to doubt, then what...? Lord, please help my DS and DD to understand the need to suffer persecution at times, for Your sake...

When I put this into persepective, Lord, I know You suffered much more terrible persecution than I do sometimes. Although You were also tempted like us, You made the right choices. You didn't deserve what was done to You.

Please keep my faith, no matter what, Lord. When I am following You, I know I can be blessed, no matter what others say about me. Thank You, Jesus, for mapping the way for me and for my DS and DD...

Blessed are you when people insult you,
persecute you and falsely say
all kinds of evil against you
because of me.
Matthew 5:11

The Most Secure Way

Dear God,

In my life, You are many times like an army surrounding me with Your awesome strength and power... an army that amazingly, cannot ever be defeated. I don't even have to depend on my limited might or abilities. You will always watch over me.

In these days of war and fighting around us, even my DS and DD notice the many uncertanties in our lives. When they become fearful, I can tell them how You are mightier than any army. You care for us all the way, and will surely be there when we need You.

During the times when I doubt, please remind me Lord, of this verse I have read for the day. Please bring it to my memory when I am afraid, uncertain, and scared. Teach me to draw on Your strength and fly above the storm so I can teach the same to my DS and DD. Thank You, Jesus...

It is God who arms me with strength
and keeps my way secure.
2 Samuel 22:33

Part Of spiritual Maturity

Dear God,

I really want to grow spiritually. I need to -- for my own daily walk with You and for my DS and DD, and most importantly , because You have commanded me to. I must be more like You each day... You have given me a list of characteristics that need to be present in my life for this kind of spiritual maturity to take place.

Part of that list is temperance -- or self-sontrol. That I think, is a really tough one. There are so many areas in my life that require self-control. Sometimes it is hard to keep all of those areas straight, let alone to put this command into practice. I know that You wouldn't have to include self-control in the list if it weren't important.

Lord, You have promised to give me the strength to fulfill Your commands. Thank You for giving me the strength I need to grow spiritually.

For this very reason,
make every effort to add to your faith goodness;
and to goodness, knowledge;
and to knowledge, self-control;
and to self-control, perseverance;
and to perseverance, godliness;
2 Peter 1:5-6

Planting The Truth

Dear God,

Today we came from a short family outing. My kids came home without cleaning themselves up. As I "surveyed" them from head to toe, I know that even if I do not actually see the dirt, they are covered with it. Their clothes have it too, and I quickly asked them to remove it and sent them to bathe and clean themselves before anything else.

I thought of the verse for today as my DS and DD cleaned themselves one after the other in the bathroom. I am to cast aside sin as I cast aside their dirty clothing. Then You ask me to receive Your Word with meekness. My children don't always face a bath with meekness, yet they always feel, look, and smell so much better afterward.

I want to kick away those filthy habits and embrace the words You have implanted in me. Lord, please fill me with the words of truth that can save my soul. Amen.

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth
and the evil that is so prevalent
and humbly accept the word planted in you,
which can save you.
James 1:21

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