Andy Bonikowsky's Blog, page 14
September 21, 2019
Good Friends
Dear Father,
Thank you for so many friends, good friends, both fun and serious ones, some who have been so for decades. They are quite more than friends — they are eternal brothers and sisters, who will share with me in the unspeakable heavenly inheritance. What are Christian friendships but gifts from you?… First for this earthly life, and then for that coming one, gifts that remind us of the unique bond we have through our Savior, gifts that strengthen our hope and point us to the day when we will not have these same limitations of time and space. What a Day that will be! Help me cherish each one, thanking them, and encouraging them, for being a part of my life. Thank you, Lord Jesus.
Proverbs 18:2
Thank you for so many friends, good friends, both fun and serious ones, some who have been so for decades. They are quite more than friends — they are eternal brothers and sisters, who will share with me in the unspeakable heavenly inheritance. What are Christian friendships but gifts from you?… First for this earthly life, and then for that coming one, gifts that remind us of the unique bond we have through our Savior, gifts that strengthen our hope and point us to the day when we will not have these same limitations of time and space. What a Day that will be! Help me cherish each one, thanking them, and encouraging them, for being a part of my life. Thank you, Lord Jesus.
Proverbs 18:2
September 6, 2019
Confusing Times
Dear Father,
From our perspective, life can sometimes be very confusing. Only You see things from that eternal vantage point, from which every circumstance, every minute, every person, every motive, with all truth, are perfectly orchestrated to fulfill Your glorious will. Such a level of authority is beyond our ability to comprehend, but it is not beyond what we can believe. You have gifted us with minds that can live by faith. Therefore, we can rest in the knowledge that all things, secret or revealed, are within the scope of your loving power, and for that we praise You. In Jesus’ Name.
Deut. 29:2
From our perspective, life can sometimes be very confusing. Only You see things from that eternal vantage point, from which every circumstance, every minute, every person, every motive, with all truth, are perfectly orchestrated to fulfill Your glorious will. Such a level of authority is beyond our ability to comprehend, but it is not beyond what we can believe. You have gifted us with minds that can live by faith. Therefore, we can rest in the knowledge that all things, secret or revealed, are within the scope of your loving power, and for that we praise You. In Jesus’ Name.
Deut. 29:2
August 30, 2019
Relaxing in the Shepherd
Dear Father,
To relax in difficult circumstances is a need common to everyone in the world, and we who know You are blessed beyond words. When financial pressures crowd in on us, when our mind cannot shake a specific fear, when friends let us down, or when health fails, we have a powerful, spiritual medicine available to us 24/7. It’s a truth that we can claim by faith, a statement of reality, an anchor that will not move... for few things will calm the restless soul as quickly as, “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.”
Thank You in Jesus’ Name.
Psalm 23:1
https://www.facebook.com/andy.bonikowsky/posts/10159274928303973?notif_id=1567144811167654¬if_t=feedback_reaction_generic
To relax in difficult circumstances is a need common to everyone in the world, and we who know You are blessed beyond words. When financial pressures crowd in on us, when our mind cannot shake a specific fear, when friends let us down, or when health fails, we have a powerful, spiritual medicine available to us 24/7. It’s a truth that we can claim by faith, a statement of reality, an anchor that will not move... for few things will calm the restless soul as quickly as, “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.”
Thank You in Jesus’ Name.
Psalm 23:1
https://www.facebook.com/andy.bonikowsky/posts/10159274928303973?notif_id=1567144811167654¬if_t=feedback_reaction_generic
August 23, 2019
August 16, 2019
Stop and thank
Dear Father,
Our lives are often so busy and full of stuff... important and necessary stuff, even valuable ministry matters. But we can misprioritize even good and needful things and lose focus on what is absolutely essential — our walk with You. Help us today to have sense enough to take advantage of those little opportunities to STOP, look up, and thank You for your kindness. In Jesus’ Name.
1 Thess 5:1
Our lives are often so busy and full of stuff... important and necessary stuff, even valuable ministry matters. But we can misprioritize even good and needful things and lose focus on what is absolutely essential — our walk with You. Help us today to have sense enough to take advantage of those little opportunities to STOP, look up, and thank You for your kindness. In Jesus’ Name.
1 Thess 5:1
August 8, 2019
Forgiveness
Dear Father,
It is quite sobering to imagine life in the OT sacrificial system, witnessing the bloody death of thousands of birds and lambs and cattle. It seems so barbaric when compared to our typical modern lifestyle. And yet how important to remember that we are every bit like the Israelites, very proud sinners who urgently and constantly need the forgiveness those raw scenes spoke of. How privileged we are that today, through Jesus, you are pleased with our heart sacrifices, when they are truly broken and humbly offered to you. Thank you for always accepting our sincere repentance and restoring us back into your joy. In Jesus’ Name.
Psalm 51:1
It is quite sobering to imagine life in the OT sacrificial system, witnessing the bloody death of thousands of birds and lambs and cattle. It seems so barbaric when compared to our typical modern lifestyle. And yet how important to remember that we are every bit like the Israelites, very proud sinners who urgently and constantly need the forgiveness those raw scenes spoke of. How privileged we are that today, through Jesus, you are pleased with our heart sacrifices, when they are truly broken and humbly offered to you. Thank you for always accepting our sincere repentance and restoring us back into your joy. In Jesus’ Name.
Psalm 51:1
August 5, 2019
Stop questioning
I’ve known people who seem to always be questioning God and His Word, seeming to always put Him on the defensive.
To start with questions is logical, proper, even Biblical. But when dealing with an infinite God there has to come a point where you STOP...
And start BELIEVING.
To start with questions is logical, proper, even Biblical. But when dealing with an infinite God there has to come a point where you STOP...
And start BELIEVING.
July 26, 2019
February 7, 2019
August 7, 2018
A brilliant reminder
Dear Lord, a brilliant, living example of your faithfulness is shown to me every day of my life by that blazing ball of fire crossing over my piece of sky. What a powerful reminder and motivation! Help me be faithful in my responsibilities, personal or ministerial, whether others notice or not -- what does that matter?! I want to be faithful because you are.
