Dear Father,
Our lives are often so busy and full of stuff... important and necessary stuff, even valuable ministry matters. But we can misprioritize even good and needful things and lose focus on what is absolutely essential — our walk with You. Help us today to have sense enough to take advantage of those little opportunities to STOP, look up, and thank You for your kindness. In Jesus’ Name.
1 Thess 5:1

Dear Father,
It is quite sobering to imagine life in the OT sacrificial system, witnessing the bloody death of thousands of birds and lambs and cattle. It seems so barbaric when compared to our typical modern lifestyle. And yet how important to remember that we are every bit like the Israelites, very proud sinners who urgently and constantly need the forgiveness those raw scenes spoke of. How privileged we are that today, through Jesus, you are pleased with our heart sacrifices, when they are truly broken and humbly offered to you. Thank you for always accepting our sincere repentance and restoring us back into your joy. In Jesus’ Name.
Psalm 51:1

I’ve known people who seem to always be questioning God and His Word, seeming to always put Him on the defensive.
To start with questions is logical, proper, even Biblical. But when dealing with an infinite God there has to come a point where you STOP...
And start BELIEVING.

Dear Father,
Your secret place is the safest and most peaceful place I know. It is where I hear from You and receive instructions and encouragement for the day ahead. To start a morning without it is to eliminate from my life the heart of its focus and purpose. Thank you for the privilege of that quiet time, when nobody else matters but You and other chores can be ignored for a while. Although it usually happens in the same spot, it actually is independent from it, for You are the secret place and give it its meaning. I praise You for opening it up for anyone who really wants to enter. In Jesus’ Name.
Psalm 91:1

Dear Lord, wisdom for me today is not understanding everything you do, but knowing that YOU DO.

For 120 years Israel had been united, through the triple 40-year reigns of Saul, David, and Solomon.
Then, in a matter of three days, Rehoboam splits the kingdom in two!
The foolishness of one leader can undo in hours, the legacy of many decades.
We are responsible to train the next generation of leaders; however, we really have no control over the decisions made after we are gone. That is all in God's hands. And He will not hold us accountable for our heirs' actions, if we, to the best of our knowledge and guidance, have prepared them diligently.
​(2 Chronicles 10:5)

This is just a curious observation, something I'd never noticed before.
In 2 Chr. 6:13, Solomon prepared a huge platform and prayed publicly to God, in front of thousands.
In 7:12, God answered his prayer, but did so privately, during the night.
Ultimately, however, the Lord made both the prayer and the answer universally public in the Word of God!

For every day living, a key to enjoying divine grace is not learning how to convince God to give it; it is learning to receive it.