Faith (FULL)

Dear Lord,

Lately, you have really been having me focus on having faith.  Whether it is when you have me tell my story to someone or plan out my day, faith is in there clear as day.  Having faith is about trusting.  Not just trusting in gravity to keep me attached to the earth, but trusting in you, Lord, to keep me in your plan and in your sight.  I was reading Proverbs 16 two days ago and stumbled on this verse, that I had already known, but rediscovered:

"Commit your work to the Lord and your plans will be established."  -- Prov. 16:3

What really hit me in this verse is the order of his promise here.  I have to step out in faith first, Lord, in commitment of my work to you, then you will establish my plans.  So as I have discovered, God, you have brought me to the end of my plans and into the beginning of yours.  I have dedicated my work to you and you are planning for me.  I don't know the plans yet, but you are good, Lord, and will make them established in heaven and earth.  I thank you for them in advance. 

Also while I was reading this verse, I discovered something beautiful about it.  At first this terrifies me, but really it encourages my heart.  This verse is essential to marriage.  In marriage (the way you designed it Lord) we have to commit in faith first and dedicate the marriage to you, and then you will establish our plans.  The world has a skew view of marriage as this "I want..." list of things in the "spouse" checklist, but really Lord you ask for us to make a sacrifice in faith and follow you into the overwhelming step that makes us one with another person.  So Lord, thank you that even in that faithfully unknown moment, that you are big and great.  You are the eternal map maker and guide.  May we always look to you!

You have great plans for us today.  I do not know what you want from me in the area of faith, right now, but I am holding fast to you and those you have put in my path to bless. 


Lord you are bigger than me.  Lord you are my reason for breath.  Lord you are love for me.  Lord you have brought me to where I am today.  Lord you have taken me through much.  Lord you help me face what there is to come.  You are my redeemer and savior. 

In faith I take steps today in blessing and praise for you!

Take me to your moments of faith today. 

In your name I pray.

Your full of faith child,

Amen

Afraid of "With"

Dear Jesus,

Confession is scary Jesus. I am sometimes more afraid to confess my sins to others than you, Jesus. That scares me, because that probably means that I value other's opinions so high. That brings sadness to me and conviction. It is hard to talk about the dark corners of ourselves with other godly people. You command us to do this, and honestly, I don't think I've ever done it. In examining the "why" of this fear, I discovered that I am afraid of being with people sometimes. I have been crushed by so many Christians before when I have revealed the cracks in my heart, so I think that fear is so deep rooted. Jesus you are the only one that can heal me of this.

Basically, I am afraid of the "we." I have been the "we" with people and they stepped on me time and time again. I think that my dependence on them was wrongly placed, and I confess that I let people break me, and I didn't rely on your strength Jesus. I have often isolated myself in life, and I need help to not do this again.

Lord, you provide for me. You love me. Please give me a group and a friend to be honest in You with Jesus. I am sorry, and I repent of my crippling fear at times. I also pray that others would be free from this isolation and fear. May you be real to me and lead me not into temptation, but into your loving arms.

Thank you for your love and hope.

We are weak and you are strong. Please lead me there today.

In your name that dispels fear and demolishes temptation,

Amen