Day 41 & 42: Philippians 2:5-8

“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” -Philippians 2:5-8

Father, thank you for sending Christ here to walk on the Earth! Thank you Jesus, for humbling yourself to the point of death. Thank you for defeating death and rising again! Lord, thank you for the blessings and opportunities you have given Ryan and I. I pray that we would be seeking your will for our lives and that we would not rush into any decisions we have to make in the next couple of days. Lord, I cannot understand what you are doing, but it is exciting to see you work in our lives! May we be at peace with whatever comes. May we focus on the wonderful life we have because you are at the center. May we speak of your great love for us and let others know that our hope and joy comes from you! Lord, I cannot express enough thanks and appreciation for all you have done and continue to do for me and this world.

In Christ's holy name, Amen.

Day 40: Psalm 21: 3-7

"For you meet him with rich blessings;
you set a crown of fine gold upon his head.
He asked life of you; you gave it to him,
length of days forever and ever.
His glory is great through your salvation;
splendor and majesty you bestow on him.
For you make him most blessed forever;
you make him glad with the joy of your presence.
For the king trusts in the LORD,
and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved."

-Psalm 21: 3-7

Father, you make all of us who walk with you feel like a king. You bestow us with blessings like crowns of gold and have given us salvation! You have promised our days will have no end. You create a joy that is indescribable and a peace that surpasses all understanding in our hearts. Thank you for leaving the Holy Spirit to live in us; and for teaching us through your Word. May my heart trust in You! May I stand on solid ground and not ever be moved!

In Christ's name, Amen.

Day 38 & 39: Revelation 22: 6-21

And he said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place."

"And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book."

I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me, but he said to me, "You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God."

And he said to me, "Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy."

"Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay everyone for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end."

Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

"I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star."

The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.

I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.

-Revelation 22: 6-21

Yesterday was Easter! The day Christ rose from the grave to conquer death and sin! What a glorious day! Father, thank you for all the blessings you have given to me! For family, friends, work, play, daily comforts, and most importantly for my Savior, Jesus Christ! Father, I don't even deserve Christ, and you have given my life to him and blessed me with so much more! Thank you for yesterday; a time to remember the precious gift you gave the world. A day when I can gather with fellow brothers and sisters to worship and thank you! Thank you for the restful day yesterday and the renewed mind for this work week. Lord, I pray that as I go forth I would remember first to do your work, then the world pertaining to this world. May I respond to different situations in a manner that glorifies you. May I be focused on the light of heaven.

I love this passage from Revelation. It describes your coming back for me and the rest of your body and bride! How encouraging it is to read these words. That you are the beginning and the end; all is finished! May we walk righteously in your path and follow your calling to, "Come." I look forward to the day all pain ends and we can live praising you in heaven! Thank you so much for the wonderful gift of Easter! Christ is Risen!

In Christ's name, Amen.

Day 36 and 37: Matthew 20: 17-19

And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, "See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day."

-Matthew 20: 17-19

Lord, what a special time of year for Christians! When we can celebrate Christ's defeat of death! Thank you for coming down from Heaven on high and walking amongst us! Thank you for being obedient to the point of death on a tree; even when you could have provided a way out for yourself. Father, thank you for defeating death by rising on the third day! Thank you for saving us from an eternity of living without you! Thank you for loving us enough to take away our sins. Thank you for choosing me to walk by your side. Thank you for knowing where I am headed and for making a way for me. I praise you because you are: Holy, Almighty, Infinite, Wisdom, Powerful, Wonderful, Savior! May I be a reflection of you as I live on this Earth.

In Christ's beautiful name, Amen.

Day 35: Psalm 19: 7-11

"The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the LORD is sure,
making wise the simple;
the precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the LORD is pure,
enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the LORD is clean,
enduring forever;
the rules of the LORD are true,
and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
and drippings of the honeycomb.

Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward."

-Psalm 19: 7-11

Father, on days when I feel like I can go on no longer, your Word reminds me of your awesome power and infinite greatness. That you have promised great reward to those who love you and keep your commandments. Thank you for this promise. Please help me remember it when all else seems so wrong and I feel like I am walking without a purpose. Help me to remember that the things I start to worry about are only things of this world; help me to hold onto you and things with eternal value! Lord, heal my broken heart and fill me with your love. May I love others with mercy that comes from you! Grant me extra help from the Holy Spirit today! I need you!

In Christ's name, Amen.

Day 34: 1 Timothy 1: 12-17

"I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen."

-1 Timothy 1:12-17

Father, I echo Paul's prayer here today! Thank you for finding me faithful and appointing me to your service. Thank you for the grace of our Lord in Christ Jesus and for sending Jesus to save sinners and be the example of patience, love, mercy, and submission. Lord, I pray for continued strength as I walk through the darkness; looking for answers. May I stop looking for answers to my questions, and instead, look for you. May I find what I am seeking in the arms of Christ; my comforter and savior. Renew my spirit so that I may serve others for your glory. Renew my energy so that I can be a helpmate to Ryan. Remove any selfish desire I have! Thank you for loving me so much that I cannot understand it!

In Christ's loving name, Amen!

Day 30-33; Psalm 27:14

"Wait for the LORD;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the LORD!"
-Psalm 27:14

Wow, what a couple of days it has been! Waiting to hear about fertility treatments, so that we could travel to Louisville for a baby shower, which ultimately, ended in them being canceled this cycle and all kinds of other stresses too, so I am sorry for not writing! I wish I could say this weekend was filled with quiet time with God, but it was not. I can truly feel the distance and the yearning to get back to him! (Which is a pleasant return of an old feeling) The Lord is truly blessing me during my time writing the prayers and during the reading and studying that goes along with being in prayer! With that,

Father, thank you for showing up in everyday occurrences to let me know that I am not alone. Thank you for granting me a peace this past week and weekend and helping me find the joy in serving others. Thank you for the wonderful family I was born into and the amazing family I have in your body of believers; they truly are an encouragement to me and help me to see how much you love me! Thank you for being my Rock, when all else is crumbling around me, you are there. Dad, I pray that I would be able to withstand the waiting. I ask that you would grant me strength to walk daily with the pain and heartache. I ask that if your will does not include children, that you would release that desire from my heart and replace it with your desire and plan for my life. I thank you for the easing that has already begun; for the ability to dwell on the other ways you bless me and want me to serve you! Lord, I do not want children to become an idol again, please show me where you would have me and how you are going to use me for your glory.

In Christ's name, Amen!