Letters to Jesus: Meditating on God's Word and Praying the Words Back to Him

By The Carpenter's helper

Who is the Carpenter's helper? He is just a flawed and ordinary man who was infected with the desire some twelve years ago to begin meditating upon the Word of God every morning and praying Gods words back to Him.

These are words that praise the Almighty God in Heaven, words that humbly confess the shame of his sin, and words that passionately plead for others.

The choice to use the pseudonym The Carpenters helper was made because Letters to Jesus is not so much about what the author has to say but about letting the power of the Word of God have its way in our hearts.

The Word of God is sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Heb 4:12

This Carpenter's helper has been pierced by the sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God, and compelled to share the thoughts and questions of his heart with the Father of mercies and God of all comfort. May the precious Word of God have its way with you as well.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Sep 1, 2015
• ISBN: 9781512707656

The Carpenter's helper

Who is the Carpenter's helper? He is just a flawed and ordinary man who was infected with the desire some twelve years ago to begin meditating upon the Word of God every morning and praying God’s words back to Him. These are words that praise the Almighty God in Heaven, words that humbly confess the shame of his sin, and words that passionately plead for others.   The choice to use the pseudonym The Carpenter’s helper was made because Letters to Jesus is not so much about what the author has to say but about letting the power of the Word of God have its way in our hearts.   “The Word of God is sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” —Heb 4:12   This Carpenter's helper has been pierced by the sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God, and compelled to share the thoughts and questions of his heart with the Father of mercies and God of all comfort. May the precious Word of God have its way with you as well.

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Copyright © 2015 The Carpenters helper.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

All Scripture taken from the New King James Version ® Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

ISBN: 978-1-5127-0764-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-0765-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015913036

WestBow Press rev. date: 4/4/2016

Contents

Preface

To Begin

Pages of His Plan

Waiting Faith

Faith in the Light

I Am the Man

Faith in the Dark

Joy of His Light

A Labor of Love

Burning Heart

Sleeping Temptation

Precious in His Sight

Door of Opportunity

God of the Living

Still Small Voice

Working With God

Impossibly Possible

Returning Praise

Agoraphobia

Childlike Faith

Smoke, Fire, and Joy

The Only Hope

Real Treasure

Light of the Eyes

Sensing His Presence

For or Against?

Prayer Neglect

Bread and Water

The Shining

Answered Prayer

The Good Part

Holy Plagiarism

Faithful and Wise

What’s a Metaphor?

Plowing Ahead

Feeling the Power

Clean Ears

Living Water

Exposed to Light

Follower Failure

gods of the Earth

The Water Carrier

Adultery and Pride

When Jesus Marveled

Abiding in the Word

The Invisible Army

Extravagant Love

Embarrassing Grace

Leftover Sins

Silent Sin

Treasures

Faithfulness

Walking in the Light

Sword in the Sheath

Time to Shout

Broken Vows

Healthy Hate

For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

Stealing Praise

Un-Hidden Secrets

Watching for Trouble

Equipment for the Battle

Equipped for Battle

Proof of Love

Praises from the Dead

Waiting and Trusting

A.D.D. and Praising God

Pruning Praise

Cold Feet

Without Excepts

Your Own god

Unknown Fruit

Loving Circumcision

Abiding

Just Praise Him!

In His Arms

Why Me?

Righteousness Embodied

The Dictator

Transformed

Pursuing Evil

Wealth and Grace

Persistence

Eternally Secure

Godly Sorrow

Encapsulated Righteousness

Abundant Forgiveness

Weapons Training

Believable Prayer

Purity of His Word

Self Deceit

Feeling His Pleasure

House of Mourning

Leprosy

Crooked Blessings

Strength in Weakness

Real Riches

Sin of Forgetting

Free From Evil

What Defiles a Man

Loving Irony

Giving Credit

Above all Else

Righteous Belief

Dead Flies

The Hiding Place

Fruit of Your Word

Redeeming the Curse

Rebuilding the Walls

Forgiveness, Mercy, and Grace

The Tutor

Crucified Love

Tears of Joy

Morning Blessings

Beasts That Perish

Walking Desire

Encouraging the Encourager

Accursed Things

Magnitude of His Grace

His Grace Revealed

The Joy of Hunger

Impossible Command

Spiritual Eyewash

Mercy Forever

The Chosen

Walking Worthy

New Man Clothes

Intimacy

Taking Mercy for Granted

Traps and Snares

Unprofitable Servant

Spirit and Truth

Exposing the Shame

Evil Company

Kindness of Correction

Loving Affliction

Circumspection

Godly Love

Bountiful Imprisonment

Escape Clause

Grace at Arms Length

Crucial Test

Praising His Name

Washed by the Father

Humility

Feeling the Heat

Prayer-a-phrasing

Trembling Obedience

Of Mice and Men

Eternal Praising

Turning Points

Walking Upright

Awaiting Grace

Honor the Giver

Believing Before Seeing

Pleasure in Praise

Anxiety vs. Peace

Above all Names

Planted by Grace

Repenting Joy

Delighting in His Comfort

Real Need

Being Prepared

Help from Above

Weak Hands

Mercy Beyond Comprehension

Daily 911

Wake-Up Call

Open Rebellion

Praying for Ungodly Men

The Root of Evil

Despicable Me

Rich in Good Works

See No Evil

Shut Up!

Hoarded Resources

Praising His Mercy

Times of Refreshing

Sometimes I Tremble

What Have I Done?

Weeds and Thorns

Predestined by Grace

In Step With God

Respecting Authority

Fearful Understanding

Taste and See

Renewed Through Praise

Diligently Seeking

Freedom in Christ

Overcoming Evil

Eternal Choices

Seen and Not Seen

Off the Crooked Path

From Faith to Faith

Getting My Own Way

Burning Passion

Hardened Heart

Children of God

Unknown Believer

Riches of His Goodness

Happy is the Man

Happy are the Good Figs

Peaceable Fruit of Righteousness

Bounty of His Grace

Reverse Distraction

Perfect and Complete

Sinner’s Confession

Evil Kings

Believe to Glorify

Speaking Up

Hunger and Thirst

Forgetful

Welcome Home

In Truth and Righteousness

Pride and Presumption

Adversity and Blessing

Girding Up for Holiness

Double Minded

Joy Inexpressible

Voice of Eliphaz

Good From Evil?

Wandering Eyes

Twice Created

Passing By

The Dark Room

Wholly Sanctified

Grace for Loathing

Daily Torment

Larger Than Life

Guard Duty

Expectations

Spontaneity

In Harm’s Way

Steadfastness

Confession Completed

My Strength

Well Being and Woe

Wonder of Praise

Keeping His Word

Continual War

Exalting His Name

His Name’s Sake

Effective Prayer

Perfect Practice

Hard of Hearing

Hearing Mercies

Loving Assurance

Trusting the Provider

Thought Wars

Enduring Truth

Lifted Up

Imitations

Praying Back the Word

Him Alone

Denying Myself

Alpha and Omega

Turning Before Turning

Unashamed

First Love

First Works

Sharing of my Faith

Broken Bondage

Fallow Ground

Dependable and True

Martyrs Song

Strength for Holiness

Backslider

A Good Man?

Repentance

Confession and Healing

Land of Idols

Walking in Truth

Holy Hands

Hearing and Praising

Asking for Affliction?

Duplicity

Countenance Uplifted

Prayer for My Son

Prayer for My Daughter

Lies, Lies, Lies

Photo-bombing Pride

Be Exalted

Hidden Treasures

Not Ashamed

Aroma of Grace

Confidence in Him

Pride and Judgment

Merciful Indignation

Following

Radiant Praise

Blessed by Affliction

Waiting for God

Praise with Understanding

My Stronghold

Vain Repetitions

God’s Wonderful Perspective

The Riches of His Grace

Into the Harvest

Justified by Faith

Loving Rebuke

Troubles

Fervent Praying

Repeat Offender

Author of Creativity

Finding Life

Real Strength

Turning Problem

Revival

Staying Awake

Idle Words

Deliverance

Hardened Like Flint

Unwelcome Guest

Asking for Directions

Buried Treasure

Fearful Circumstances

The Calling

Good in the Sight of the Lord

Heavenly Reunion

Audience of One

Strengthened by His Grace

Sound Doctrine

Surrounded by Mercy

The Light of Your Presence

The Blessed Man

The Days of Noah Again

Bearing Fruit

Waiting Desire

Too Hard?

Fear of the Lord

Foreign gods

Furnace of Affliction

Thanksgiving

Eyes wide open

Joyful Reunion

Garment of Joy

Living by Faith

Indelibly Written

Refusing to Listen

Complete Victory

Confusion and Joy

Armed for Suffering

Perfecting Holiness

Other gods

The Rock

Silently Waiting

Regret, Repent, and Believe

Hidden Metaphors

Presumptuous Sins

Continued Blessings

Old Age

Clothed in Righteousness

Submitting in Joy

No Excuses

Answering in Process

Perspective

Redeemed to Say So

Joy in the Morning

Fear

Delighting in His Mercy

Joy of Suffering

Faith Like a Child

The Christmas Gift

Without Shame

Faithfully Waiting

Enduring Love

Morning Cry

Feeling His Presence

Sanctuary Praise

Authors Purpose

For my children,

And to others who are seeking Him

While He may be found.

"One generation shall praise Your works to another,

And shall declare Your mighty acts."

Psalm 145:4

Preface

Psalm 119:57-59

"You are my portion, O Lord;

I have said that I would keep Your words.

I entreated Your favor with my whole heart;

Be merciful to me according to Your Word.

I thought about my ways,

And turned my feet to Your testimonies."

To Begin

Dear Jesus

As I meditate on Your Word in these pages

May I find the words to praise You

And entreat Your favor with my whole heart.

As You lead me into

Confessing my sins that I may be healed ⁰¹

Be merciful O Lord according to Your Word.

May I be faithful

To keep the words that You give me to pray

As I think about my ways

And turn the feet of my pen to Your testimonies.

"Let the words of my mouth

And the meditations of my heart

Be acceptable in Your sight,

O Lord, my strength and redeemer." ⁰²

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January 1

2 Samuel 7:18

January 1 to December 31 letters with endnotes

Who am I, O Lord God? And what is my house, that You have brought me this far?

Pages of His Plan

Who am I Lord

And what is my house

That You have brought me this far?

What is Your purpose for me today?

I want to find it and underline it

So I can’t ignore Your will!

You have led me and grown me

Each and every page of my life

And I have come to know You and praise You

For Your wonderful mercy and grace.

O Author and Finisher of my faith

May I feel Your pleasure

As I continue to seek Your righteousness

In the remaining chapters of my story.

Open my eyes to Your plan for my life

And strengthen my faith

To trust You wherever You lead!

I don’t know how my story will end.

I just want to seek Your wonderful face

And not retreat in the battle with my sin.

Keep me from pride which obscures Your glory

For it is only an illusion

Which hinders the joy of praising You!

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January 2

Luke 18:7-8

And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?

Waiting Faith

Dear Jesus

I have asked You to strengthen my faith.

I have asked You to help me trust in You.

But how does this happen?

I want an answer speedily

But sometimes it takes years!

Yet after it finally happens

And I see my prayers answered

It seems to have come quickly!

You have said

"One day is as a thousand years

And a thousand years as one day." ¹

So I cry out to You in a day

And while I wait

It’s like a thousand years before You answer!

But yet

After You answer me

And I see the wisdom in Your perfect timing

It seems as if my waiting was only a day!

Dear Jesus

As I wait for Your return

Will You find waiting faith in me?

And will I be praising You for taking such a long time

To swiftly answer my prayer?

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January 3

John 3:19-21

And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.

Faith in the Light

O Jesus

You know I have lived in darkness

Rather than in the light of Your presence.

I ignored You and followed my own ways

Languishing long in that dark place of iniquity.

And because I did not come to Your light

I was seduced by the darkness

Which blinded my eyes to the truth

And succumbed to its vile deception.

I hated the light

Because it showed the evil of my sin!

O Lord open my eyes to the light of Your truth.

May I be obsessed with seeking Your righteousness

Just as I have been obsessed

With seeking my own selfish pleasures.

If I am to be clearly seen

Let it be for who I am in You

And for the light that You give

Not for the evil

Which I have too often chosen.

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January 4

2 Samuel 12:7

Then Nathan said to David, ‘You are the man!’

I Am the Man

You know my thoughts dear Jesus

You know my motives

You know the evil I hold on to.

You see me condemn others for their sin

Yet I do the same things in my heart.

I am just as guilty Lord.

Like David, I am the man.

O God I am altogether sinful!

Only by Your mercy do I continue to live.

Only by Your grace do I have hope!

Only by the blood of Your perfect Lamb

Am I justified in Your sight.

Father God

May I never forget my iniquity

For it is the shameful memories of sin

That remind me

How great and wonderful is Your mercy

And the terrible price You paid for me!

O Lord may I not suffer Your hot displeasure

In taking Your grace for granted

And trampling on Your irreplaceable gift

By pursuing what is right in my own eyes.

"Have mercy upon me O God

According to Your lovingkindness

According to the multitude of Your tender mercies

Blot out my transgressions.

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity

And cleanse me from my sin." ²

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January 5

Psalm 74:20-21

"For the dark places of the earth

Are full of the haunts of cruelty.

O do not let the oppressed return ashamed."

Faith in the Dark

Dear Jesus

You know the dark places of this earth

Are full of the haunts of cruelty.

There also are dark places in my heart

Full of cruelty and pride

And sin.

O Lord

I am oppressed by my selfish desires

And I need Your grace for the strength to repent.

I must repent and turn away from all my transgressions

So that iniquity will not be my ruin! ³

My obsessive desires

Will only bring me to shame!

The faith with which You have strengthened me

In the light of Your grace

Must be even stronger

In the dark times of overwhelming temptation.

Father God

Fill me with the joy of my salvation

And the light of Your presence.

Strengthen my faith

That the dark places in my heart

Would be illuminated

And swept clean!

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January 6

John 1:4-5

In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

Joy of His Light

Thank You Jesus

For pulling me out of the darkness.

You gave me Your light.

You opened my eyes to see and comprehend.

And You have given me new life.

Only through Your Holy Spirit

Can I understand what You have offered me.

Only by Your grace

Can I accept what You are offering.

And only because

You are the light of the world

And he who follows you shall not walk in darkness

But have the light of life ⁴

Will I have the faith

To come out of the darkness of my self

And into the light of Your presence.

Thank You Jesus

For giving me Your light.

Keep me from the dark places of my iniquity

The darkness that is always there

Pulling me

Seducing me

Deceiving me.

May You always keep me in the joy of Your light

As I find my delight in You alone.

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January 7

John 4:37-38

For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.

A Labor of Love

Dear Jesus

If You can use me to sow Your Word

Into the hearts of those I encounter each day

And be given words to encourage Your children

It will thrill me and fill me with joy!

Even if I don’t see the results here on earth

And even if no one else understands

I know You see

And I know You remember!

O Lord

It would be wonderful to be present

As another child lifts up his eyes

And receives the gift of eternal life.

But if You don’t use me that way

I am content to share and sow Your Word

Because I know that in Heaven

I will be rejoicing over the harvest.

I will be praising You and rejoicing

With the ones who were there

To assist the delivery

As the born again child comes forth!

There is great joy in the birth of a child

And there is also abundant joy in his conception!

Thank You Lord for letting me be a sower for You.

Thank you for this labor of Love!

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January 8

Luke 24:32

"And they said to one another, ‘Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?’"

Burning Heart

Dear Jesus

Thank You for the foretaste of Your glory.

Thank you for the burning in my heart.

As You open Your Word to my soul

I can feel You walking beside me.

My desire for You awakens

And Your presence overwhelms me.

My soul was laid low in the dust

But You revived me

According to Your Word. ⁵

Thank You for bringing me

To this place of eager anticipation

The thrill of finding treasure

As You open up the scriptures

To reveal Your holiness.

My soul was melting from heaviness

But You strengthened me

According to Your Word. ⁶

O Lord

Thank You for Your mercy

That opened my eyes to who You are

And for Your transforming grace

That has given me the burning desire

To seek You in Your Word!

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January 9

Luke 22:40,46

When He came to the place, He said to them, ‘Pray that you may not enter into temptation.’

Then He said to them, ‘Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation.’

Sleeping Temptation

Dear Jesus

You know I am weak.

You know I have embraced iniquity

And chosen my own way.

When temptations come

I am such an easy target

For Satan offers what I secretly wanted anyway.

I confess I’ve been sleeping

And not praying.

Father God

Make me passionate about Your Word

And the treasures You have hidden there.

Fill me with passion for Your presence

A fervent obsessive desire

That will overcome the evil of furtive obsessions

With the superficial pleasures of this world.

May I be captured by the beauty of Your holiness

Rather than

The lust of the flesh

The lust of the eyes

And the pride of life. ⁷

Let me not sleep

The sleep of self-gratification

But rise and delight in the newness of life

Which only You can give!

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January 10

Psalm 72:14,18

"He will redeem their life from oppression and violence;

And precious shall be their blood in His sight.

Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel,

Who only does wondrous things!"

Precious in His Sight

Dear Jesus

So many of Your children are suffering and dying.

So many count their suffering as gain for you!

O God sustain them!

Strengthen them.

Fill them with the assurance of Your presence!

You only do wondrous things Lord!

May Your name be blessed

By those who are in pain

By those who are treated unjustly

And by those who face death

For the sake of Your name.

You have said that

"Precious in the sight of the Lord

Is the death of His saints." ⁸

O Jesus

Lift up Your hurting children

By Your redeeming grace!

Deliver them from the oppression and violence

In this dark and fallen world.

Only You can encourage their hearts

Only You can renew their strength

And only You can lift these precious ones up

With the hope of Your returning!

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January 11

Colossians 4:2-4

Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the Word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

Door of Opportunity

O dear Jesus

Thank You for these verses

And I thank You

For the prayers of others!

I ask that You will stir the hearts

Of those who read this passage with me today

And will move them to pray for me.

May they pray that I would find

The magnificent obsession

And marvelous joy of sharing

The mystery of Christ!

Dear Lord

Help me to pay attention

As You open doors for me

To share the mystery of Your grace.

Give me the words

That will make Your Word manifest.

May I not be bound by the chains

Of timidity, indecision and unbelief.

Let all praise come to You Lord

And may those who are praying with me

For this door of opportunity to open

Marvel at Your answer!

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January 12

Luke 20:38

For He is not the God of the dead but of the living, for all live to Him.

God of the Living

Dear Jesus

You are not the God of the dead

You are Lord of the living.

All that You have created

Lives to praise You!

And those who have passed from this world

Having been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ

Are still before You!

Right now they must be laughing and singing

And praising Your name

For Your wonderful free gift of salvation!

O Lord let me praise You

And trust You this day as well.

My heart burns in the anticipation

Of standing before You

With the beloved who have gone before.

Abba Father

You know how I miss these loved ones!

I only see what I can see.

For my eyes cannot perceive

Nor my mind comprehend

The Heaven You have prepared for me.

But by Your Word

I have hope that when this life of death is over

I will find them safely in the arms of the Living God

Welcoming me home!

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January 13

1 Kings 19:11-13

Then He said, ‘Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.’ And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. So it was when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him and said, ‘What are you doing here Elijah?’

Still Small Voice

O Jesus You know I have no excuse.

You already told me what I am supposed to be doing here.

You have clearly shown me Your grace and Your power

Yet I continue to ignore Your voice.

Yes, I know what is right and what is wrong

But I am so easily distracted.

I let the cacophony of iniquity in this world

Drown out Your still small voice.

I know You’re always there.

You know my sin.

You died for that sin

Yet I take Your mercy for granted.

Please Lord

Help me to remember and be in awe

Of the mighty moving of the wind and earth

And fire in my life!

You have preserved me to this day

So I could glorify You in my life.

O God may I not miss that opportunity

To do what You created me for!

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January 14

John 6:28-29

Then they said to Him, ‘What shall we do that we may work the works of God?’ Jesus answered and said to them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.’

Working With God

Heavenly Father

These people are asking the same question

I need to ask.

What shall I do

That I may work the works of God?

But what am I here for if not to serve You

And glorify the name of Jesus Christ

"The Lamb of God

Who takes away the sin of the world." ⁹

You know I have confessed to believing in You

But do I believe it with a passion?

Lord Jesus

You know my heart.

You know how I struggle with sin

Because I don’t want to let go of it entirely.

I am an incompetent servant

Because of my divided loyalty.

Is this why I haven’t found the joy

Of gathering the harvest with You?

O Lord may I be filled with the fervent desire

To believe You and serve You!

Make it obvious to me what I should say

And what I should be doing

To accomplish Your work.

May I be Your workman not ashamed! ¹⁰

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January 15

Luke