June 9 - Pruned

 

“He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit,

while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes

so that it will be even more fruitful.”

(John 15:2 NIV)

 

Ouch! God never promised His pruning would be painless. I watch as He cuts off the dead wood and disease branches of my heart. I cringe as He yanks away the vines of selfish desires out of my mind. I feel new life flowing through my veins to give nourishing fruit to my thoughts. I will humbly submit to His pruning. I hope you will, too!  

June 8 - Perfect Peace

 

“You will keep in perfect peace

him whose mind is steadfast,

because he trusts in you.”

(Isaiah 26:3 NIV)

 

Try as I might, I cannot make peace or keep it. Perfect peace comes only from my heavenly Father. I might not be able to make sense of all that is going on around me, but He can. Nothing can touch me apart from His perfect will and loving hand. I can breathe and accept His will in what may come today, because my mind is steadfast. I will be an instrument of His peace. I hope you will, too!

June 7 - Attitude and Altitude

 

“Your attitude should be the same

as that of Christ Jesus.”

(Philippians 2:5 NIV)

 

Attitude or Altitude? The words are similar, but oh, so different. AI defines attitude as a learned, stable predisposition to evaluate a person, object, or concept in a specific way. Attitude is learned and practiced over a lifetime. I can recall times when my attitude was bad, not at all like that of Jesus. Altitude is the vertical distance of an object upward. I will direct my altitude and attitude to be like Jesus. I hope you will, too! 

June 6 - My Guide

 

“He restores my soul.

He guides me in paths of righteousness

for His name’s sake.”

(Psalm 23:3 NIV)

 

What does a “path of righteousness” look like? I picture it to be a grassy path, not well-worn, weaving in and out of trees in a tropical rainforest. I must stay close to my Guide as He leads me, for danger lurks behind the trees and bushes at every turn. The indigenous peoples of the forest do not like intruders, especially ones who carry the Light of Truth. I will stay close to Jesus. I hope you will, too! 

June 5 - Shalom

 

“Now may the Lord of peace Himself

give you peace at all times and in every way.

The Lord be with all of you.”

(2 Thessalonians 3:16 NIV)

 

Shalom, a Hebrew word, means to be complete, whole, or sound. It can only be found in a right relationship with God. I am connected to the Father through Jesus. To have Christ is to have Shalom. I will stay close to Him, so the Holy Spirit will pour His perfect peace into me, and spill it over to those around me. I hope you will, too! 

June 4 - Give Thanks

 

“Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything,

in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

(Ephesians 5:20 NIV)

 

I woke up this morning to electricity in my home. Thank you, Lord! I am not sick or in pain. I have meaningful work to do. My vision is not what it used to be. My fingers do not move over the piano keys as swiftly as when I was younger. Thank you, Lord! I will thank God for everything today, for it all brings me closer to Him. I hope you will, too!

June 3 - Safe in His Arms

 

“Fear of man will prove to be a snare,

but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.”

(Proverbs 29:25 NIV)

 

I will not be afraid of the wind that blows or of the stormy people in my life. I know God puts me in the middle of turbulence for a reason. He fills me with peace and calm while leaves push and shove each other. Trees cannot protect me. Neither can my closest friends and family. My God keeps me safe in His arms. I will trust in Him. I hope you will, too!