Father God, my mind is open to Your Thoughts, and closed today to every thought but Yours. I rule my mind, and offer it to You. Accept my precious gift, for it is Yours to me. Amen and Amen.
07/13/2017 OCM-83656272 {Member of ULC 9/23/22
7545620-0414Susan Ruth Robertson202004377}
Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. – Exodus 23:20
The Angel of the LORD is a special divine messenger who both represents Yahweh and carries his authority; interpreters read the figure either as a uniquely empowered angel or as a theophany (a pre‑incarnate appearance of Christ). Why debated: the phrase “for my name is in him” gives the angel divine authority beyond an ordinary messenger. Theophany/pre‑incarnate Christ; Angelic envoy fully authorized to act for God; a deliberately ambiguous figure that functions as both. Takeaway: whether angel or theophany, the passage stresses that God goes before his people with real, authoritative presence and protection.
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. – Revelation 3:20-21
This is a vivid image of Christ’s invitation to intimate fellowship and the promise of shared authority for those who persevere. It pairs the personal, knocking, sup with him, with the cosmic, sitting on his throne, reminding us that closeness with God carries both comfort and hope. If you want, I can offer a short devotional reflection, historical context, or a plain‑language explanation of the symbolism.
“Knock At The Browser Door”
A knock at midnight on a browser door, tabs like rooms where quiet prayers keep score. One tab: a face of friends and whispered psalms, another holds a draft of hope in trembling palms.
He stands and waits where HTML meets heart, inviting supper, asking us to start. Click open, let the small light flood the room; share bread, share throne, let shadow yield to bloom.
To those who rise and answer, seats are given, soft crowns of mercy, and a place in heaven. So let your pages open, one by one, and sit with him until the work is done.
Kneel on the floor, blessed Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Hear my humbled prayers as gratitude, love, humility holds His merits.
Kneel on the floor, blessed Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Hear these humbled prayers offered in gratitude, love, and humility.
May Your mercy rest upon us, Your, presence fill our rooms, and Your peace keep our hearts until morning bringing us new light.
While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. – 2 Peter 2:19-20
This is a sharp, sobering reminder about false freedom and the danger of returning to old patterns after experiencing spiritual renewal. Peter warns that people who promise liberty can become enslaved by corruption, and that falling back into former pollutions makes the outcome worse than before. The passage calls for vigilance: hold fast to the knowledge of Christ, stay rooted in truth, and guard against gradual compromises that feel like freedom but lead to bondage.
Father God, You who set the names of Your people over the priest’s heart, help me to carry others before You with love and faith. Teach me to serve with care, to make my work an offering, and to live so Your presence is known. Clothe my heart with humility and my hands with faithful service. Love You, thank You, praise You and give You all te honor and glory in Jesus Precious Name Amen.
A diverse group of people holding hands around a stone with ‘Liberty and Freedom’ at sunset
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
This wisdom shapes hearts and leaders. When authority is guided by purity, gentleness, mercy, and impartiality, it produces peace and the fruit of righteousness for everyone.
Father God, grant us wisdom from above. Make us pure in motive, gentle in word, quick to show mercy, and fair in every decision. Let our lives and leadership sow peace so righteousness may grow. Love You, thank You, praise You and give You all the honor and glory in Jesus Precious Name Amen.
A serene landscape with a biblical quote about peace and righteousness
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. – Psalms 23:4-6
Beneath the tabernacle’s bronze and quiet light, your rod and staff make passage safe and sure; a table set where enemies can only watch, anointing oil that turns the ordinary to grace. Goodness and mercy walk the road beside you, and the house of the Lord becomes your home at last.
Have a nice day. 🙂
An ancient stone altar holds a glowing candelabrum, magical potion, and carved staff in a rune-covered chamber.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. – Revelation 2:7
A radiant tree of life surrounded by angels and mystical landscapes
What a beautiful, hopeful promise: a call to listen to the Spirit and the assurance that those who overcome will share in the life and renewal symbolized by the tree of life in God’s paradise. Wishing you a peaceful, blessed day. 🙂
Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. – John 14:5-7
These are beautiful verses, Jesus’ words there point to relationship and guidance: knowing him is the path to knowing the Father, and his promise offers direction, truth, and life.
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: – Ephesians 6:16-17
‘Shield of faith Faith’ is pictured as a shield because it intercepts what would otherwise wound us: doubts, accusations, fear, and temptation. Faith doesn’t deny danger; it trusts God’s character and promises so those attacks cannot consume us.
Helmet of salvation ‘The helmet ‘protects the mind. Salvation guards how we think about ourselves, our future, and God’s purposes. When our identity is rooted in Christ, discouragement and despair lose their power.
‘Sword of the Spirit’ the Word of God unlike the passive shield and helmet, the sword is active. Scripture is both truth to believe and truth to speak. Jesus used the Word to resist temptation; we use it to name reality, correct error, and advance God’s kingdom.
Put on the armor daily: begin your day by naming one promise of God and asking for faith to hold it. Guard your mind: replace one anxious thought with a truth of salvation when it arises. Use Scripture intentionally: memorize short verses that answer your common doubts or fears. Practice speaking truth: when a “fiery dart” comes, say a Scripture-based response aloud or in prayer. Walk with others: share struggles with a trusted friend so faith can be strengthened and tested in community.
And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. – Matthew 19:5, 6
Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. – John 8:34-36
These verses are powerful they contrast the temporary bondage of sin with the lasting freedom found in Jesus. It’s an invitation to trust that freedom, not as a one-time idea but as a present reality that changes how we live. I hope your day is peaceful and full of that freedom.
"Only Life Changes" 