My granddaughter, Olivia, has lost weight. They couldn’t find the reason and scheduled some pretty intense tests for today. When I got up, I texted some verses to her mom, Bethany.

Psalms 139:2, 5, 7, 10, “You know when I leave and when I get back; I’m never out of your sight… (5) I look behind me and you’re there, then up ahead, and you’re there, too – your reassuring presence, coming and going… (7) Is there anyplace I can go to…be out of your sight? …(10) You’d find me in a minute – you’re already there waiting!” The Message

God arranged for the message to arrive the minute they left for the hospital. I followed it up with…

2 Timothy 1:7, “God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind.” New International Version

At 9:30 am, I felt a burden to pray for Olivia. I let Bethany know I was praying and sent this…

Isaiah 26:3, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust you.” New International Version

I knew the procedure had begun and I prayed harder. Then I remembered my devotion in “Streams in the Desert” yesterday.

“Jacob won the victory and the blessing here not by wrestling but by clinging. …We too will not win victory in prayer until we cease our struggling. We must give up our own will and throw our arms around our Father’s neck in clinging faith.” J. R. Miller

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“An incident from the prayer life of Charles H. Usher illustrates how wrestling prayer is actually a hinderance to prevailing prayer. …”My little boy, Frank, was ill, and the doctors held out little hope of his recovery. …I said to the Lord, ‘Oh, God, I have spent much time in prayer for my son, and yet he is no better. I will now leave him to you and give myself to prayer for others.’ …From that time forward he began to get better.” Streams in the Desert

I gave Olivia back to God and started my work. She came through the tests with flying colors. Now we wait for the results.

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I was feeling pretty good about myself as I made lunch. I decided to play a computer game while I ate.

Two and a half hours later, I noticed the time! Yikes! I wasted most of the afternoon! Then I felt pretty bad about myself.

Hebrews 10:1, 2, “…No matter how many sacrifices were offered year after year, they never added up to a complete solution. If they had, the worshipers would have gone merrily on their way, no longer dragged down by their sins.” The Message

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“It’s not a matter of how badly or how often you’ve failed – it’s a matter of what God can make you when you accept His grace, get up again, and allow Him to empower you to do better. So the word for you today is – you can start again.” The Word for You Today

I repented. Then I listened to Steven Furtick’s 1 Min Motivation…

“This. Stops. Here. …I am making a decision about my priorities today that will affect my tomorrow. …I’m gonna learn some new tactics, some new strategies. This. Stops. Here.”

I need new tactics and strategies!

Hebrews 10:39, “But we’re not quitters who lose out. Oh, no! We’ll stay with it and survive, trusting all the way.” The Message

If this shattered your image of me – GOOD! Don’t look to me – I’ll fail. Look to Jesus Christ!

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