Wednesday, November 30, 2011

HOPE

"If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever - the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you." John 14:15-20

Take time to really think about these words: Jesus is in the Father and we are in Jesus and He is in us. How incredible it is that we have the Lord God in us and we are in Him! Acts 17:28 describes this mystery in this way: "For in Him we live and move and have our being."

How often do we really live moment-by-moment in Christ? Imagine how much better our busy days would be if we practiced the presence of Jesus. Each year at Christmastime we say that we are going to slow down, cut back on activities, and enjoy the season, but somehow it never seems to happen. Instead, we need to make a commitment to live daily in Christ. Then, whatever the task, the event, or the circumstance, He will enrich our lives in ways that are beyond imagination. This ultimate relationship with Christ is above all others; it will guide us on our spiritual journey and last through all eternity.

Dear Christ Jesus, Help me to daily abide in You. I want to experience this mystery - living in You, and You in me. Help me to pause and practice the presence of the Lord this Christmas. I make this prayer in Your holy name. Amen.

Have a super Wednesday.
Blessings,

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

HOPE


Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us." Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father? Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my  name, and I will do it." John 14:8-14

The New Testament has many examples of Christ's wondrous miracles. He healed the sick, raised the dead, and fed thousands, yet He tells us that we can go on to do even greater deeds through His Spirit. Ask God how He wants to use you this Christmas. Maybe you will feed the homeless in your community, clothe the poor, or bring comfort to the sick and lonely. If you ask for His guidance, He will work through you and direct your path. Even the smallest act of grace can change a life, a community, and even the world.


The hope we have as Christians is not only that we have Christ living in us, but also that we have Him working through us. Hope teaches us to have faith in Christ and to do the things He leads us to do. Acting under the power of Christ will produce amazing results.

Dear Lord, please show me how You would have me serve others this Christmas season, and empower me as Your vessel that, by serving others, I may bring You glory. I thank You and praise You and ask these things in Your Son's name. Amen.\

Blessings on your day,

Monday, November 28, 2011

HOPE

"You know the way to the place where I am going." Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him." John 14:4-7

Our hope for salvation is in Christ Jesus. He and He alone is the way, the truth and the life. Draw into a closer relationship with Him by reflecting on who He is, His perfect love, His wonderful grace, His tender mercy, His almighty power and majesty. Take a moment to think about the blessings in your life for which you are thankful, and praise Jesus for what He has done for you.

Dear Jesus, thank You for Your great sacrifice on the cross and the gift of salvation and eternal life. Create in me a pure heart and a desire to really know You. I make this prayer in Jesus' name. Amen.

HOPE

"Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations . . . In his name the nations will put their hope." Matthew 12:18,21

HOPE is the first topic to begin our spiritual journey.

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." John 14:1-3

As Christians we have a great reason to hope! John 1:1 proclaims that, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." John 1:14 goes on to say, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." The Word is Jesus, the living God! We know that everything the Scripture tells us is true because it is not only from God, it is God, the Word.

When the prophet Isaiah foretold the birth of Christ, a new hope was born into the world; a hope that lives in us today. And after Jesus came in the flesh, He promised to return and take us to be with Him, giving us eternal hope that surpasses the condition of our life on earth.

Take a moment and think about the things you want and the things for which you hope. Many of them may be of temporary value, but some will have deep eternal longings as well. Now think about the things you hope for this week, this Christmas season, the new year to come, your lifetime on earth and the next life in heaven. Now ponder in your heart what it will be like to see Jesus face-to-face in all His glory and splendor, and imagine what it will be like to go where He is.

Heavenly Father, I thank You for the blessings of Your Word and Your Son in my life. I thank You for the hope of my heavenly home where I can dwell together with You forever. In Christ's name I pray. Amen

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Being Grateful

" . . . think about such things." Philippians 4:8
The institution of Thanksgiving Day has a meandering history. In 1777 the Continental Congress declared the first national day of thanksgiving after a victory over the British at Saratoga. By 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a bill that firmly established the fourth Thursday of November as our national holiday of thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving Day may have lost some of the national spiritual fervor and intentionality around celebrating a corporate day of thanks to the Almighty, but can be personally useful as a place of spiritual mind-renewal. Along with thankfulness, ("And be thankful," Colossians 3:15), what does God direct us to harbor in our minds?
* " . . . we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5). Do you monitor what you allow and entertain in your mind?
* "Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song" (Psalm 95:2). Do you spend time regularly expressing thanks and worship - throughout the year - focusing on God's character and lvoing care in your life?
* ". . . a prudent man gives thought to his steps" (Proverbs 14:15). Are you carefully considering, not impulsively or with feelings alone, that next step?
* "I thank my God every time I remember you" (Philippians 1:3). Do you thank God for those dear ones he has placed in your life?
On this day dedicated to gratefulness, take some time to examine the nature of your daily thoughts. How would you characterize them - life-giving or life-defeating? And most importantly, do they follow God's directives?
Have a blessed Thanksgiving!
Enjoy the day

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Thanks . . . Again!

"How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?"
1 Thessalonians 3:9


Think of the people God has placed in your life - your family members, friends, coworkers, and other loved ones. They bring such joy and happiness to your life, don't they? Now contemplate this . . . what if you'd never met any of them? How different would your life be? These folks are such a gift! God has given them to you as a special present . . . one you need to remember to thank Him for.

Dear Lord, sometimes I walk through seasons of blessing and forget to be grateful. It's easy with the busyness of life, to overlook the fact that You have made provisions to cover my monthly bills. You have graced me with good health. You have given me friends and loved ones to share my joys and sorrows with. Today, I want to thank You for the many gifts You have poured out on me. Thank You Lord, In Your Name, Amen.

Happy Tuesday!
Hope you are feeling thankful for all your blessings this week as you are getting ready to celebrate Thanksgiving.
Have a great day
Blessings,

Monday, November 21, 2011

Thankfulness

"Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
1 Corinthians 15:57
 
What a wonderful, giving God we serve. He stands with an extended hand, ready to give you the desires of your heart. Take a moment to offer thanks to Him for the greatest gifts, the awesome joys you've experienced, and even the small things that you realize He engineered to bless you in an unexpected way. Share with Him just how much He means to you. Express to Him your thankfulness. He is worthy of your thanks.
 
Dear Lord, as I reflect on this week and thanksgiving, I want to thank you for the blessings you have given to me. Day by day, your grace makes me ready for whatever comes my way. You give me exactly what I need. Thank you for always being there. In Your Name, Amen.

Have a great day.
Blessings,

Friday, November 18, 2011

When you've had one of those weeks

It’s been one of those weeks.

You know the kind that tempt you to pull the covers back over your head?

I’m recovering from too many late nights, family members with colds, and too many things on my to-do list.

It’s the everyday things that throw us off the most sometimes.

They make us forget who we are, who we belong to, where we’re going.

Maybe that sometimes happens to you too.

If so, I want to lean in close in the middle of all those little things and whisper some BIG truth to us…

Yes, you are loved. More than you know. More than you see. Deeper than you’ve dared to dream.

"16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."{Ephesians 3:16-19}

Yes, you are really part of a good plan and you belong to a God who will make sure it happens.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."{Jeremiah 29:11}.

Yes, you are going to make it through this not just somehow but victoriously.

"I can do all this through him who gives me strength."{Philippians 4:13}

When life gets hard the lies get loud.

But in the middle of all the noise, there is still what’s true.

Especially when it been one of those weeks.

Have a super weekend.
Blessings,

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Satisfaction

"I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint." Jeremiah 31:25
 
Satisfaction is the result of a job well done. Sometimes your expectations for the blessings of God requires you to press a little harder and stretch your faith a little farther to see the results you've asked God for. You can be sure all your effort will be rewarded. God promises to satisfy your soul - a deep satisfaction only He can provide. He's given you the power to reach your destiny. He will not let you fail. Press on! Press on!
 
Dear Lord, I see your blessings everywhere. I know you have many blessings for us as your children. Help to find the way to stretch my faith a little farther to do things that you would have me do. You will not fail me, I am excited to see where you lead me. In Your Name, Amen.
 
Have a great weekend.
Blessings,

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

One Amazing Girl

I want to share with you what one very special girl shared with me this morning.

I went to visit Hope in the hospital.

For those of you that may not know Hope, she is an 11 year old who has had a lot of health issues in her short life. In the past 11 months she has had a liver transplant and heart surgery. She is currently fighting an infection and looking at another heart surgery very soon.  

It was good to see her and we had a good time. She is probably the most amazing person I have had the privelge to have cross my path and become friends with. Of course I am also amazed with her mom Carrie who is an inspiration to me and watching her go through the things they have, she is truly a strong Christian woman, wife, mom and friend. Of course the whole family is wonderful and I will continue to keep them in my thoughts and prayers.

I was trying to find a devotion to share with you all today, and the thing that God keeps pressing into my heart is this song by Josh Wilson, "Before the Morning". While we visited in Hope's hospital room we talked about her favorite songs. Her mom pulled out her phone and this is the song that Hope likes. She sang along with it. I watched her sing, I listened to the words and tears rolled down my cheeks. I guess I want to share this with you because it just moved me so much.

The song says "You have a reason to still sing. Cause the pain that you've been feeling, it can't compare to the joy that's coming. Press on and fight the good fight." If Hope can look me in the eye and sing these words after everything she has gone through and going to go through, I can go through anything that comes my way too.

Hope, I know you will read this and I am truly a better person for knowing you! God has blessed me by putting you in my life. God is using you in mighty ways and I enjoy watching you work and go about God's business. Rest up, get better and know that you are loved.Thank you for sharing this song with me this morning. It touched me very much. Love you!!

Blessings on your Wednesday,
 

 

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Sometimes life knocks the wind out of you

You wonder, “Can I get back up?”
Let me lean in close and whisper to your heart…
“You can, my beautiful friend, you can.”
We all have times when discouragement knocks on our door,
when doubt creeps in, when we feel so very small.
But those are the moments when God’s love can be the biggest,
when He’s there with open arms, with truth that reminds us who we are.
 
And who are you?

You are loved.
"For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him."  {Psalm 103:11}

You have a purpose.
"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." {Philippians 1:6}
 
You are not alone. "Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand."{Psalm 73:23}
 
Dear Lord, thank You for the reminder that I am loved, I do have a purpose and I am not alone. Help me to do Your work today. Help me to see the ways You take care of me, but also help me to help others I come across. In Your Name, Amen.
 
Blessings on your Tuesday,

Monday, November 14, 2011

If I could whisper in your heart today . . .

This is what I'd say--

You're loved more than you know, more than you see, more than you've even dared to dream.
"As high as heaven is over the earth, so strong is his love to those who fear him."
{Psalm 103:11}
 
No matter how it may feel, you've got a purpose and God's got a plan."I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out - plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for."
{Jeremiah 29:11}
 
We only get one YOU and what you have to offer the world is good.
"God looked over everything he had made; it was so good, so very good!"
{Genesis 1:31}
 
Whatever will happen this week, it's going to be okay and you are too. Promise.
"That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good."
{Romans 8:28}
 
Then I'd buy you a cup of coffee or tea or a hot fudge sundae with extra cherries on top and listen hard to what your heart has to share back.
 
And what would you say?
 
Dear Lord, help me to start out my week in You. Help me to do what You would have me to do this week. If I need to let something go on my to-do list and do something on Your to-do list, let me do it with joy. In Your Name, Amen.
 
Happy Monday!
Hope your day is great.
Blessings,

Friday, November 11, 2011

Someone Worth Dying For . . .

Happy Friday!!!
Wanted to share something with you today. I have heard this song on the radio and it is one of my favorites right now. I hadn't seen the video for it until today when a friend sent it to me. I just had to share it with you. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Blessings on your weekend


"Someone Worth Dying For"
by: MikeChair

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Whole and Healed

"Pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed. The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with." James 5:16


Do you have soul siblings? Brothers and sisters in Christ? Caring people who pray for you and with you about, well, everything? Like a life preserver in a turbulent sea, prayer partners are buoyancy for the soul and security through any storm. Heartbonds, once established, create a trusting environment where we can bare our souls before the Lord in mutual prayer to become whole and healed. Prayer partners are warm hugs from God


Dear Lord, Help me to find sisters in Christ that can be my life preserver here in my life from day to day. For those that I do count on to help me, I thank You for them. I pray that I can be a soul sister to others as well. In Your Name, Amen.


Gotta soul sister? Say a prayer for them today asking God to bless them.
Need a soul sister? Say a prayer and ask God to put one in your life.
Be a soul sister! We need all the help we can get :O)
Blessings on your Thursday,

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Thank You For . . .

grace undeserved and beauty that wraps itself around our messy lives to make us whole again,

joy
that arrives like a candle and reminds us brighter days will come,

laughing
until we cry and crying until we laugh,

how you hold us close in a way our hearts can feel,

for the glorious, golden leaves outside my window,

and the wind that sounds like a whisper calling my name.

The trees lift their hands as if to answer back.

I close my eyes and listen.

Everything I hear, the high and low, sounds to me like one word repeated...

grace, grace, grace.
  

Let's say prayers of thanks this week. What are you grateful to God for?

Dear God, thank You for the many blessings You have given to me. Thank You for your grace. In Your Name, Amen

Blessings on your Wednesday

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Sing for Joy

"But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you." Psalm 5:11

There are so many things to rejoice over when you're in love with the Creator of heaven and earth. Rejoicing changes your perspective on everything! Remember that little song you used to sing as a child: "I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart!" It's true. Love gives birth to joy. And when that joy spills over, watch out! It's contagious!

Dear Lord, help me to find joy today. If I am not feeling joyful today, help me to change my perspective and my attitude. There are many things to be joyful about. In Your Name, Amen.

Have a great day

Monday, November 7, 2011

Joy Amidst Financial Stress


By Mary DeMuth


With banks and insurance companies collapsing, foreclosures and jobless rates rising, how can we keep our joy? Here are five ways:

Live for Real Security.
The blessing of this economy is its frailty. Why is that a blessing? Because it serves as the barometer of our real security. If our security is based on something that can be taken away from us, we are living for the wrong security. Take a deep breath; let it out. In that, breathe in God’s economy, letting out your own reliance on the American economy. Read Matthew 7: 24-27 where Jesus talks about building our houses on sand or the rock. In this time of stress, evaluate which foundation you’ve building on today. Is it a paycheck, or the Giver of all Good Things? Food in the fridge, or the Bread of Life?


Treasure God.
There are so many things to treasure—our homes, our cars, our furniture, our clothing, and especially our relationships. It’s not wrong to be thankful for these things and people, but we will live freer lives if we first see God as our best treasure. Why? Because nothing can take Him away from us. Matthew 6:21 says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Securing our hearts to God adds the treasure of His presence to our lives. In the Irish hymn “Be Thou My Vision,” the words capture this principle beautifully: “Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise. Thou mine inheritance now and always. Thou and Thou only, first in my heart. High king of heaven, my Treasure Thou art.”


Give in the opposite spirit.
Are you stressed about money? Give hilariously. 2 Corinthians 9:7b says, “God loves a cheerful giver.” The best way to break the stronghold of money-worry in your life is to do the counterintuitive thing and pray this prayer: “God, show me how I can financially bless someone this week.” Giving away, even when circumstances are difficult, is a faith-filled act. You’ll be surprised how your hilarious giving breaks the cycle of stress in your life.


Practice reality-based spending.
Marketers have a term for it: aspirational marketing. They target people who long for a certain income or status and market to their aspirations. Who cares if you can’t afford that car! If you buy with this easy payment plan, you can look like you afford it. Forget that you will be latched to the payments for years or that the car will depreciate faster than your cash flow. In this economy, it’s important to buy things without tying them to our aspirations. Be realistic instead. Don’t be duped into thinking you’ll feel happier if you have that cool new thing. Instead ask yourself, “Self? Can I afford to pay cash for this thing?” If the answer is no, set your aspirations aside and don’t buy it.


Be blessed to be a blessing.
We Americans truly don’t realize how good we have it. One of the most humbling conversations I had was with my friend Paul in Ghana. He said, “For ten years I never knew when my next meal was coming.” Imagine living for ten years, not knowing when you’d have breakfast or lunch or dinner! We are blessed beyond measure. We live like kings here. Why not shift your contentment meter a bit. Take your eyes off your circumstance and consider the rest of the world. How can you bless someone less fortunate than you? Thinking of your wealth in terms of blessing others will revolutionize your attitude toward money today.


Yes, this economy is strained and scary. Yes, it could get worse before it gets better. But as Christ-followers in the midst of this crisis, we have more. We have the security of knowing God will never leave us. We have the ultimate treasure in Him. We have the ability to give even when we’re worried. We don’t have to be duped by the marketing machine into believing our worth is based on what status symbol we have. And we have been blessed beyond measure, not to hoard, but to give it away. And in all that, we find joy.

Friday, November 4, 2011

Sprouts

"For there is hope for a tree, when it is cut down, that it will sprout again." Job 14:7
 
Have you ever battled a stubborn tree? You know, one you can saw off at the ground but the tenacious thing keeps sprouting new growth from the roots? You have to admire the resiliency of that life force, struggling in its refusal to give up. That's hope in a nutshell, sisters. We must believe, even as stumps, that we will eventually become majestic, towering evergreens if we must keep sending out those sprouts.
 
Dear Lord, I believe You have great things for me. Help me to keep growing. In Your Name, Amen.
 
Have a great weekend
Blessings,

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Climb In

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

Trust is the bottom line when it comes to living an abundant life. We will never escape the muddy ruts without trusting that God has the leverage and power to pull us out of the quagmire. They say faith is like believing the tight rope walker can cross the gorge pushing a wheelbarrow. Trust is climbing into his wheelbarrow. Only when we climb into God's wheelbarrow can His joy and peace overflow as hope into our hearts.

Dear Lord, help me to trust You enough and get into Your wheelbarrow. I know You have good things for me, if I just learn to trust You. In Your Name, Amen.
Have a good day. Stay warm and stay safe.
Blessings,

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

The Power of Active Faith

"Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." James 2:17

Everyone has their own spiritual gift they can use to serve or minister to others.

Feeling as if you're not "holy" enough to serve others? Relax. You are already holy and sanctified because you have faith in Jesus Christ and have accepted Him as your Savior. Through Christ, God created you and set you apart to do good works.

So it appears there is no excuse for not serving God. Perhaps the problem is that we are not sure what God has called us to do. Not even Paul was certain as to his role in God's plan. "What shall I do, Lord?" he asked. And God answered, "Get up . . . and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do."
God has an assignment for each and every one of us. All we have to do is ask Him where and how He would like us to serve. Our gifts need not be limited to those listed in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10. The Church also needs those gifted in writing, music, hospitality, teaching, preaching, intercessory prayer, and missions, to name a few.
God doesn't want you just sitting in the pew every Sunday as you watch others ministering to your needs. According to His plan, although you are important to Him, it's not all about you. It's all about God.

Find your spiritual gifts, ones that you love to use, so that you will be filled with a passion to serve. And then use the to God's great glory.

Dear Lord, help me to learn how to serve You and others. Help me use the spiritual gifts You have given me. I do not want it to be all about me, I want it to be all about You. In Your Name, Amen.

Great job on the challenge from yesterday. I heard from quite a few that were lighting their "special" candles and eating off their "special" dishes last night.
Have a great Tuesday!