Isaiah 49: 1-6 & Psalm 71
 
The most insidious and debilitating evils in life come from within my own soul – feeding my pride by grasping for fame and success at any cost, indulging in self-focus when family and those needy for friendship and joy are ‘dying’ for my presence, or grabbing for everything I can obtain from the goods of the earth. What evils will I need to be delivered and rescued from today? Christ Jesus, from evil deliver me and rescue me.  
                                                          
For I am honored in the sight of the Lord, and God has become my strength. (Isaiah 49: 4)
                                                                                                      
Soli ad gloriam dei

Isaiah 42: 1-7 & Psalm 27 & John 12: 1-11
 
For Mary of Bethany, Jesus was the stronghold of her life, and her anointing of his feet with costly perfume was nothing compared to how he had restored her own life and the life of her brother Lazarus to her.  Jesus’ own relationship with his Father was the stronghold of his life, strengthening him to obedience through abandonment, torture, and death by crucifixion – and the salvation for anyone who chooses to be aligned to the ways of Holy Spirit.  What and who are the strongholds of my life? I am designed to be in the strong hold of the Holy Spirit – nothing more, nothing less.   Lord, be the stronghold of my life … 
                                                          
I have called you in righteousness,  I have taken you by the hand and kept you…  (Isaiah 42: 5) 
                                                                                                      
Soli ad gloriam dei

Ezekiel  37:21-28
 

 
How many times while finding my way through new territory by foot, canoe or car have I taken a wrong turn –and have had to retrace my steps or take a more difficult route to get back on track! So it was for the Israelites wandering in the desert and exiled into Babylon. God responded to his people then as he responds to me now: “I will gather my people, I will save them from all their apostasies (false ways) into which they have fallen, I will save them from their transgressions.  What false ways of spending time, talent, energy and treasure have I fallen into? Christ Jesus, save me from all the false ways into which I have fallen.     
                                                           
The Lord will guard us like a shepherd guarding his flock. (Jeremiah 31)
                                                                                                      
Soli ad gloriam dei

Genesis 17: 3-9

A young child learning to walk takes first steps in front of their Dad or Mom with a tight grip on at least one of their parent’s fingers. As a beloved daughter, God calls me to do the same with him.  Learning to walk forward on my journey of life, the Lord encourages me not only to gain my balance and walk with him, but also to remain ‘blameless’ and not try to ‘take off on my own”.  Lord God, help me walk before you and be blameless.  

Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually. (Psalm 105)

Soli ad gloriam dei

Hebrews 5:7-9 & _
 
It is not I who glorify God, as much as it is the Holy Spirit of God at work through my being, my resources, the fruits of my life, and my connections with others, who points out the glory of God through my life.  When I set out to glorify God on my own I so quickly fall into religiosity, prideful ambition and complex arguments. But when I, like Jesus, passively open myself to the ways of the God, even crucifixion can glorify God’s name - for anyone who looks beyond the evil of the moment to the grace of abundant love and mercy, prefigured by the resurrection of the Lord.  Father, glorify your name through my life. 
                     
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit. (Psalm 51) 
 
Soli ad gloriam dei