Heavenly Father I praise You for today and for directing my life and giving me purpose for living. I praise You for walking with me through hard times and not just bailing me out for that would make my faith nonexistent. I humbly bow before You and Your throne as my heart comes into Your throne room to receive strength and peace from Your Holy Spirit.
Holy Spirit You inspired Paul to write to the Corinthians: God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. [1 Corinthians 14:33] Confusion is the greatest weapon to cause fear, hate, rebellion, and pride all the pieces of why Satan (Lucifer) was sent out of heaven and put him at odds with God. The two things I must rely on to avoid the chaos of confusion in life around me are my faith that God is my rock, salvation, and my future. The second thing is that love casts out fear. I must rely on the love of God to see me through. As the Psalmist so eloquently put I will sit down at the table with God amid my enemies. If I put my focus, my time, my effort, and my trust in listening, following, and doing the will of God I will not be defeated by confusion. My focus must be clear, my heart must resonate with Your Spirit, and my mind completely devoted to You. Help me to be like I was when as a young player in a full arena so focused that all I heard was my coach encouraging and telling me where to go, what to do, and what to watch out for. This is how I need to be with Your Spirit so that I am wise, and discerning and can utilize my understanding to not be drowned by the noise and images of confusion.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has given us a new birth into the living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that does not fade away, kept in heaven just for me, I am protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this I greatly rejoice, even though now, if for a little while, I have to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of my faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tried by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom, having not seen, I still love and in whom, though I do not see Him now, I believe and I rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, receiving as the result of my faith the salvation of my soul. The end of all things is near. Therefore, be clear-minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. [1 Peter 1:3-9; 1 Peter 4:7-11]