Prepare the way of the Lord,

make His paths straight.

                     Mark 1. 3

(How do I do that today?

Grace and the love of Jesus 

in all I do and say,

His witness through me,

  even when I am unaware.)

I will bless the LORD

            at all times;

His praise shall 

    continually be in my mouth.

                  Psalm 34. 1

"At all times"

     is what distinguishes us.

Praise changes my heart,

           my vision,

           and my response.

Seeking to bless the LORD

   provides incredible strength

             in impossible places.

Even in this.)

...as he came down from the mountain,

Moses did not know

that the skin of his face shone

because he had been 

               talking with God.

                   Exodus 34. 29

(Praying, reading Scripture, and worship

    changes everything about you.)

The LORD said to Moses,

"See, I have called by name Bezalel

...and I have filled him

       with the Spirit of God,

with ability 

      and intelligence,

with knowledge 

      and all craftsmanship...

               Exodus 31. 1-3

(God anoints us by name,

          appoints,

and gives us the tools.

Where God guides,

        He provides.

We have only

       to be faithful 

even in what is beyond

   what we are able

                  on our own.)

     

...in the tent of meeting

     where I shall meet with you.

                     Exodus 30. 36

(Sacred space emerges

                wherever and whenever

       we dwell with Him.

It is not important where,

              but that we do.

The LORD is personal and intimate

   and can't wait to spend time with you.

You are greatly loved.)

...where I will meet with you,

      to speak there to you.

                      Exodus 29. 42

(What do I miss out

   because I am not listening

             for Him or to Him?

Intimacy in any relationship

   is based on interaction

and time together.

God will provide unexpected 

                 pockets of time with Him,

if I am looking for them,

   and if I am willing to grasp them,

                when they appear.)

But I trust in You, O LORD,

I say,

     "You are my God."

My times are in Your hand."

                     Psalm 31. 14-15

(Even in what I don't understand,

      His deepest purposes prevail.

God never said it would be easy,

     but "I am with you."

Trust in His unexpected appointments

                        and divine timing.

Follow His scarlet thread

   through the thicket in front of you.)