Father, I have been wrong. Thank you for forgiving me. I have spent too much time allowing selfish and self centered thoughts to lead in my mind, my feelings, and even my words. This is wrong. I repent. I have wallowed in self pity and given place to a “put up on” attitude and this is wrong. I repent.

I see and know the blessings of God and I abound with thanksgiving. I thank you, father, for all the sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, and grands that you have given to me.

Now I surrender myself anew. I realize I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless, I get to live, but this life I live is Christ living in me.  Today whatever I say and do, I do it all to the Lord giving thanks to God, the father, through him. Whatever I do today I do it heartily as unto God and not for man. …. For I serve the Lord Christ.

Even if!!

ed thoughts and God’s Word

Christ is all and in all. Jesus is in me, that is my hope of glory; a glorious outcome regardless of current circumstances, appearances and suffering. Nothing dissuades my almighty father from his designated plans and path.  Nothing surprises or confounds him. He does not slumber nor sleep but constantly, thoroughly and joyfully works out his kingdom in me and in all those that are his and love the thought of his appearing.

I am his and he is mine. I put on as one of his chosen ones, holy and beloved, a compassionate heart, kindness, humility, meekness and patience.  I bear with others and I forgive others as Christ forgives me. The peace of Christ rules in my heart and I am thankful. The word of Christ dwells in me richly.  He teaches and admonishes me in all wisdom. I sing with thankfulness in my heart to God.

There is a simplicity in Christ. Jesus is the Christ of God, he came, lived and died and rose again as the scripture say. He is all and all, and in all.  All creation was created by him for him; he is the way, the truth and the life. There is no other name given whereby we are saved. He redeems us and we are no longer our own, we belong to him.

I am his and I follow him. I seek Him hard.  I welcome his presence. I feed on his word. I belong to him. My cup runs over. He annoints my head with oil. Goodness and mercy follow me all the days of my life and I dwell in the house of my Lord forever.

Whatever I do today in word or in deed, I do it as unto God, giving thanks to the father through Jesus, and whatever I do, I do it heartily as unto God and not to men knowing that from God I receive the gift of the inheritance for I serve the Lord Christ.

Personal prayer: Ed and the Word

Lord, be the Lord of my life.  There are many things I would like to do and places I would like to see,  but I want what you want for me, Lord.  I don’t want to be “selfish” or out of your will, nor off on my own plans and not following you closely.  Lord, you are my shepherd, keep me following you closely.

I want to be a vessel meet for your use and prepared for every good work, work that you have ordained beforehand that I would walk in. Lord, I am your servant, filled with your word and led by your spirit. I will not strive with others, instead I am gentle to all, apt to teach, patient.  In meekness I instruct those that oppose them selves, praying the father will grant them repentance and they will recover them selves from the snare of the evil one.  I pray I will be wise until salvation, perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. That I would be instant to preach your word in season and out, reprove, rebuke and exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.

Thank you, father, that you have saved me and called me with the holy calling, not according to my works, but according to your own purpose and grace, which was given to me in Christ Jesus before the world began. Jesus Christ has abolish death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. I pray that I would be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, that, you, Lord, would give me understanding in all things.  I pray I would avoid foolish unlearned questions, knowing that they just gender strife. By god’s grace I will not strive with others, instead I will be gentle, apt to teach, patient. I thank you, Lord, for your holy scripture which is able to make me wise unto salvation through faith in Jesus, the Christ.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works!

Thank you, father, that you have chosen me and you will not cast me off. I do not fear, for you are with me. I am not dismayed for you are my God.  You strengthen me and you help me. You uphold me with your righteous right hand.

You are God and you hold my right hand and you tell me, “fear not, I am the one who helps you. ” Even though I am weak and human, you, oh, my god, are the one who helps me.  You, the holy one, are my redeemer. I rejoice in you, Lord. In you, the holy one, I glory.  I am poor and needy, parched with thirst and you, my Lord, you answer me. You open rivers in bare land and fountains in the valleys. You make for me pools and springs in the wilderness.

Ideas from Matthew Henry plus thoughts from Ed.

Regeneration has two effects:

1. Weanedness from the world and 2. A thorough change of heart(renewed mind)

Weanedness- ” henceforth, we know no man after the flesh. ”  I do not own or effect or evaluate any breatheren after the flesh. I am enabled by divine grace not to mind nor regard this world, nor the things of this world, but to live above it. The love of Christ is in my heart and the world is under my feet.  By god’s divine grace I can enjoy the comforts of this life and my relations in this world with a holy indifference.

2. A thorough change of heart – ” if anyone is in Christ they are a new creature …”

The care of all who profess the Christian faith should be that they be new creatures, that they have a new heart and a new nature. Regenerating Grace creates a new world in the soul, all things are new. The renewed person acts from new principles, by new rules, with new ends, and in new company.

Father,  I do not grieve your Holy Spirit who has sealed me until the day of redemption. I have put away all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, and malice. I am kind to others and forgive others as You, my Heavenly Father, for Christ’s sake, have forgiven me.

I am a follower of God and I walk in love as Christ has loved me and given himself for me as an offering and sweet sacrifice to you, father.

Thank you, lord, that now by your grace, I am light in the Lord and I walk as a child of light. I am filled with your spirit. I speak to myself in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. I made melody in my heart to you, lord.  I give thanks always, for all things unto you, father, in the name of my Lord Jesus, the Christ.

So I walk not as the Gentiles walk in the vanity of their minds with their understanding darkened, being alienated from God. I have learned from Christ. I have been taught the truth in Jesus.  I put off the old man and the old worldly  lifestyle which was corrupt according to deceitful lusts, and I am renewed in the spirit of my mind. I put on the new man who is created by God in righteousness and true holiness.

I put away lying and speak only the truth. If I am angry, I do not sin. I do not let the sun go down on my wrath. I do not steal, but I labor with my hands and mind to be a good steward and to give to him who has a need.

No corrupt communication comes out of my mouth but only that which edifies and minister’s grace to the hearers.

I believe there is one body and one Spirit and one hope that I have been called to. One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and father of all and in all those who belong to God.  I have been given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. He gives grace for the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry.

By God’s grace I have come in the unity of the faith, and through knowledge of the son of God become a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. Henceforth, I am no more a child tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine, but instead, speaking the truth in love, I grow up into him in all things, that is Jesus, the Christ.  In him the whole body fits jointly together … and edifies it self.