four

"How could you speak when all your friends checked out?

How could you read out when they nailed they down?"

But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. He committed no sin,and no deceit was found in his mouth.

When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

1 Peter 2:20-25

Dear God, when I declare it is all yours, I am declaring that you are in control of it all. This includes those who do wrong to me. This includes those that I pass judgement on. God, give me the strength to know when to pass up the judgement to you. Help me to silence my criticizing tongue. You know my nature and you know how easily I can judge others and hold a grudge forever. But I ask that you would help me instead to pray for them and forgive them. Lord, I have already begun rebuilding some kind of a relationship with Jackie because you helped me to forgive her. My prayer is that through me she can see you-- that she can see the reality of Christ's work in my life. I want to do your work, God. I want to be a looking glass into your heart. I want to remember that others are forgiven just as I was and am every day. I am no better than any others. I do wrong and have bad intentions, and am sometimes rude and inconsiderate. But not only do I know I am forgiven, I also know that you are helping me fix these things. I will trust you to do the same with others. Jesus, thank you for the amazing sacrifice that you made for me. Thank you for being so perfect and taking on all my blame. Help me to know your judgement of when to be silent and when to speak up. I trust it all to you.

three

"By your voice we speak

By your strength, we are no longer weak.

And by your wounds we are healed.

Tell me what kind of love is this?

What kind of love, would take your shame

And spill his blood for you

And save us by his wounds"

I'm still your God,

the God who saved you out of Egypt.

I'm the only real God you've ever known.

I'm the one and only God who delivers.

I took care of you during the wilderness hard times,

those years when you had nothing.

I took care of you, took care of all your needs,

gave you everything you needed.

You were spoiled. You thought you didn't need me.

You forgot me.

Hosea 13:4-6

It is a horrible accusation, oh God, but it is true. I did forget You for a while. Though I claimed to be your child, I did not give one thought to your ways and what You wanted for me. I did what I wanted and I alone. And I see now where that path leads. I want to follow your plans, Lord. I know that yours are much better than mine. I will follow in your path and receive your promises. It's true-- you are the only real God I have ever known. You are the only one who has always been true and right, though I did not always see it. You are eternal and faithful, Lord. I admit my shortcomings and I ask that you lead me from now on. You paid the price for me and I give myself over freely. Your love is so grand, so vast, so extravagant. It is so intricate, I cannot see each thread, nor can I see the big picture. But You know all, Jesus. Thank you for being mine and letting me be Yours. Take me as your own. You are my God, You are my Lord.