Sunrise, 22 Feb 2023. Photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn
Lord God, thank You for Your grace and mercy this day. Thank You Jesus that You will never abandon Your people. Lord, regardless whether it is night or day for this reader, may they meditate on Your Word. Lord, may Your Word never depart from our head, heart and hands.
Thank You Lord for this reader. Bless this reader to bless others. Help this reader to help others. Comfort this reader so they may comfort others.
Lord God, may we love others because You first loved us. Your love for us is as constant as the rising and the setting of the sun. May we not fear what man will do to us. May we instead fear, revere and worship You.
Thank You Jesus for Your salvation. Lord God, for the reader who does not know You, may this be their day for salvation. Thank You Jesus that Your Good News is still good, no matter what society says.
May Your people NEVER forget or take advantage of what You have done for us. Lord God, thank You for this reader. Fill this reader with the peace of Your Presence. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.
Sunset, 22 February 2023. Photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn.Sunset, 22 February 2023. Photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn
Sunrise, 17 January 2023, photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn.
I can honestly say that I have never seen a sunrise in the East and rainbow (there’s a hint of a second one) in the West, at the same time in all my 41 years of living.
I am fascinated and awed by sunrises, sunsets, and rainbows. Since God spoke the world into being, God has watched over the rising and setting of the sun. The rainbow in the sky is God’s promise not to destroy the earth by flood again.
While this may sound provincial to this unbelieving world, in today’s rapidly changing culture, I take great comfort in this fact.
Today’s beautiful morning also reminds me of Jesus’s rebuke to the Pharisees and Sadducees, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times” (Matt 16:2-3 ESV).
There is a judgment that is coming for both believers and unbelievers. For believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, ask the Lord to reveal to You where You are falling short of what and where the Lord wants You. Work for the Lord willingly rather than man, even in the most difficult circumstances. I know first hand how much easier it is said than done. However, God gives us the grace we need to be His hands and feet with the proper attitude.
For the unbeliever it is my humble prayer that today will be your day of salvation, repenting of your sins and that you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, so you will be saved (Rom 10:9).
Lord God, You know our hearts. You know the loads we carry. Lord God, may we come to You and find rest for our souls. Lord God, thank You for this beautiful sunrise and rainbow. Lord God, prepare us Lord to face You. Lord God, help us to think Your thoughts! Lord God, Your judgement that is coming will be quick and final. May we NEVER presume on Your grace. Lord God, I ask that believers will hold other believers accountable in a loving manner when they are in sin and error. Lord God, may Your people love each other enough to fight for their personal time with You, may believers seek to be spiritually healthy with the same passion that we seek to be emotionally and physically healthy. Lord God, raise up strong leaders in Your Church! Lord God, thank You for this reader. Lord God, encourage this reader today. Help this reader to trust You Lord. Help all believers to increase in their obedience and submission to You. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.
Rainbow, 17 January 2023. Photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn.17 January 2023. Photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn.
The heavens are yours; the earth also is yours; the world and all that is in it, you have founded them (Psalm 89:11 ESV).
It’s not everyday that I wake up at 6am to a full moon! What an awesome and amazing way to start the day! What an excellent reminder that the Lord knows and holds it all!
Lord God, thank You and praise You that the sun and moon rise and set on Your time schedule. Thank You Lord that as You know the number of the sand on the seashore, so too do You know those who belong to You. Thank You and praise You Lord for how You use creation to point people to Yourself. Lord, as this world spirals more and more out of control, help Your people to be witnesses, testifying to who You are and what You have done in our lives.
Thank You Lord for the beauty of creation. Thank You Lord that You are mindful of humans and that You loved us so much to send Jesus into this world. Thank You Jesus for dying on our behalf to forgive us from sin so that those who may believe in Your Name will spend eternity with You. Thank You Holy Spirit for convicting us of our need for Jesus and for sealing us with Your Spirit.
It is beyond my comprehension that someday Lord Jesus we will see You face to face. Lord, help us to look for ways to marvel at the works of Your Hands even in the midst of everything that is going on. Thank You Jesus for this reader. Draw this reader closer to You and to Your heart so that others may see You in them. Thank You Lord for today. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.
Photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-QuinnPhoto taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn
Blue Collar Theologian 