Tim Smith > Recent Status Updates

Lost my morning discipline last week and even sort of rushed through it this morning. Tomorrow is a new week. Might not off Perfected my Lent goals, but just a reminder of the perfection of Jesus and how much I need the cross.

Scripture Focus: Psalm 139

Creator God, forgive me for the times I have neither glorified You as God nor given You thanks. I acknowledge thay every good gift comes from Your hand. Guard my heart against the spiritual darkness that comes from ingratitude. Help me to end today recognizing and thanking You! May thanksgiving protect me from the idolatry of worshipping created things rather than You, the eternal Creator. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Lord, I rejoice in You always. Instead of being anxious, I present my request to You with thanksgiving, trusting that Your peace-which transcends all understanding-will guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Help me to focus my thoughts on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. As I begin each day with gratitude, establish Your peace as the foundation of my day. Amen.

Lord, it is good to give thanks to You, to sing praises to Your name, O Most High God. Help me to proclaim Your unfailing love in the morning and Your faithfulness at night. Fill my heart with such gladness at Your works that I cannot help but sing for joy. May my life be like a flourishing tree rooted in gratitude. Even in old age may I proclaim that You are my rock!
In Jesus’ name, amen.

Faithful God, I confess that giving thanks in all circumstances is hard. Help me develop a heart of gratitude not dependent on favorable conditions but on Your unchanging character. As I begin morning, teach me to thank You before facing the day’s challenges, trusting that Your goodness transcends my circumstances. May thanksgiving become as natural as breathing, shaping how I view life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Gracious God, we thank You for Your gifts—for life and breath, for love and connection, and for Your presence that never leaves us. Forgive us for taking Your goodness for granted or letting complaints drown thanksgiving. As we go, help us notice Your gifts anew. May gratitude shape our thoughts, words, and actions. Teach us to give thanks in every circumstance, trusting Your faithful love. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Lord, thank You for the invitation to be still and know that You are God. As I begin this morning revolution, give me the discipline to rise and the desire to meet with You before meeting the demands of my day. Help me to create a new rhythm where stillness comes before activity and Your presence is my first priority. In Jesus’ name, amen.

ord, cause me to hear of Your unfailing love in the morning, for I put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go today and every day, for to You I entrust my life. Like the psalmist, I spread out of my hands to You; my soul thirsts for You like a parched land. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. May Your Spirit lead me on level ground. For your name’s sake, Lord, preserve life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Lord Jesus, thank You for modeling the priority of prayer even in the busiest seasons of ministry. Give me the discipline to rise early, seeking solitude with the Father before the demands of the day close in. Help me not to view prsyer as an optional addition to ministry but as its essential foundation. Like You, may I emerge from prayer with clarity about God’s calling on my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

God, hear my voice in the morning. Help me to deliberately arrange my prayers before You, not as hasty requests but as an offering of myself. Give me the discipline to rise and seek, and the faith to wait expectantly for Your response. Lead me in Your righteousness today’s making Your way straight before me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Lord, when my soul is downcast and I remember my affliction and wandering, helping me to intentionally call to mind your unfailing love. Thank You that Your compassions never fail but are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness! Teach me to say with conviction that You are my portion, therefore I will hope in You. Help me to wait for You each morning with eager expectation. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Creator of morning, we thank You for each new day. As the sun rises, help us rise to meet with You. Move us beyond reluctance into morning prayer. Like the psalmist, we lay our requests before You and wait with hope. Like Jesus, draw us into quiet to hear Your voice before the day begins. Grant us joy this morning Renew us in Your presence and transform our mornings so our days may be changed. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Feb 17th: The Temptation of Jesus
Matthew 4:1-11

Jan 29th: John the Baptizer Prepares the Way
Jan 30th: The Baptism of Jesus

Six Actions of Peter in Acts #2:
Peter Heals in Jesus’ Name:

Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.” (Acts 3:6-8)

Is your attitude one of wanting to keep Jesus for yourself or wanting to share? Do you recognize any responsibility for helping others to also meet and know Jesus?

Six Actions of Peter in Acts: #1
Peter Proclaims Jesus
“Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
-Acts 2:37-38
In what ways can you proclaim Jesus today?

Who is the person you can trust to be a companion on the journey in Christian life?
When we think of the Christian journey we think all too often that it was a matter if heroic individuals setting out alone. In the book of Acts we see that the early Christian missionaries did not travel alone. When Jesus sent his first disciples out, he sent them out two by two. Who is your partner in Christian?

Jan 18th: Read John 10:1-18 & 21:15-17
Pray: Jesus, shepherd of of my life, lead me in the ways to be of service to you and to rejoice in taking care of those whom you have given me to serve.

What do you get enthusiastic about? Men can be great fans at sport events and other shows, but when it comes to our faith we seem to be instinctively reserved.

John 21:7
As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him and jumped into the water.

Prayer:
Jesus, help me to be enthusiastic for the opportunity of fellowship I have with you.

Facing failure is one of life’s hardest tasks, especially when broken dreams and strained relationships expose our weakness. Our instinct is to blame others or run away.
Offer your failures to Jesus. He walks with you on this way of the cross.
Pray: “Lord Jesus, help me be open to the grace of your forgiveness, and by receiving it, give me a willing heart to forgive others.”

The disciple Peter, original name was Simon after the Jewish military leader: Simon Maccabaeus. Read John 18:11-12
Peter was ready to be like this military leader, but Jesus had a different plan. What is the vision, dreams, plans, or goals you have? Have you spent time praying through them and seeing if they are God’s vision, dreams, plans or goals for you? Are we willing to readjust those if Jesus calls us to?

Jan 14th: “For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.” -Jesus in John 13:15
What example has Jesus provided for you on? How can you live in the way of Jesus today?

Jan 13th: Christian leadership doesn’t require you to claim to fully understand everything. It requires you to continue to live in trust, believing that your understanding will grow as you continue to journey with Jesus.

Jan 12th: Transfiguration
Christian life is not s perpetual honeymoon or vacation… “Jesus calls us back to the dusty road, to daily work, to the mission.”