Day 42: Gone Astray

Okay, I know I said that I would try not to miss anymore, and I feel extremely bad about missing last night, but I was finishing up a project for work and I lost track of time. I know that's a really lame excuse, but it's the sad truth. All this work I've had to do has monopolized my time. I realize it's a necessary part of my life, but still... I can't wait until this session is over so that I may spend more time with my family and friends as well as more time studying the Word of God. I crave more time with God... I feel like I've been neglecting what is truly important.

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
~Isaiah 53:4-6 (KJV)

Words cannot describe how thankful I am that God sent His one and only son down to earth to endure punishment on the cross for all the world's sins forever. This one act made it so much easier for people to be saved--all they need to do is just ask God's forgiveness in earnest and accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. In this day and age, there are so many distractions and influences and stimuli in the world that people don't always adhere to God's Word. It's often misinterpreted, taken out of context, or ignored altogether. General faith seems to not as strong as it used to be. Unfortunately, a lot of people have strayed like sheep from their Master. I try to be a good Christian, but I'm not immune to mistakes. But no matter how rough life gets, I am NOT going to give up, I am NOT going to take God or Jesus Christ for granted, and I WILL remain faithful to God Almighty and His son Jesus Christ.

Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for Your endless love and protection and blessings. Thank You for my family, friends, and pets; I ask that You please watch over them, bless them, and keep them safe and strong, happy and healthy. Lord, please watch over those who defend this country and Your Good name; bless them with courage and strength and bring them home safe. Please watch over their families and comfort them in times of separation and/or loss. Please watch over those who are misjudged, mistreated, misunderstood, sick, homeless, or alone; please bless them with at least one person You can work through to help lift them up. Lord, I pray that those who do not believe in You be blessed with family and/or friends who do believe and can help guide the non-believers to You and that they open their hearts to You. Lord, please open my eyes and heart to Your Word and teachings. Please eliminate any doubt that my be within me and prevent any more from sprouting. Lord, I humbly ask that you please forgive me of my sins. Please help me to learn from my mistakes and continue to guide me down Your path so that I may continue to grow and become the person You want me to be, Lord. I know that I am right where You need me to be, and I will be content and do whatever You have planned for me. Lord, I love You with all of my heart and I always will, through good times and bad, no matter what! Every day, I am closer to You, Lord, and I will never stray from Your path. In Jesus' name, Amen.


Love and God Bless,
M.C.