Hello You . . .

Hello You...

the one welcoming Monday and wondering what this week holds.
I don't know.
But I'm certain of this--there's One who holds us.
And He promises nothing is impossible for you.

Not that mountain you're facing.
Not that task you're dreading.
Not that decision you're afraid to make.
He may not tell us the details of what's to come
but He reminds us of what's ours no matter what...
Victory.
A future.
A plan that's as good as He is.
Always.

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

Have a super week.
Blessings

End-of-the-Week Encouragement

Encouragement for your week that was:

We don't have to worry
about how the week went
or how the next one will go.
Because all our days, all our ways,
are in the hands of One who loves us.
We sometimes feel uncertain...
could that possibly be made into good?
Then just when we least expect it, we find the answer--
that all our mistakes, all our hurts,
all we wish we could trade from these past few days
(and from a lifetime)
are being noticed, handled with care, turned into
something more than we could imagine.
You're loved. You're valuable.
You've got a purpose.
God's got a plan.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

Have a super weekend.
Blessings,

Friday's Challenge

This Weekend's Challenge

I will work more on listening rather than adding my "two cents."

"Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue." Proverbs 17:28

The Bible has a lot to say about our words. Be a bearer of good news to your family and friends instead of one who likes to share the latest bit of gossip or complain about your life.

My prayer for you this weekend:
God of love, may the truth that you love me not just be a fact I hold in my head, but a truth that lives in my heart and guides me 24/7. You love me . . . I sit in awe of that truth, feeling thankful and blessed, humbled and joyful. Thank you for your love - and teach me, in response, to love you and others well. Amen.

Have a super weekend.
Let me know how your challenge is going.

See you in church this weekend
Blessings

Renewal

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."Psalm 51:10

No two snowflakes are alike. No two sunsets are ever exactly the same. Your Creator delivers a masterpiece with every stroke of artistry He inspires. You are no different. With each touch of His hand, with every letter you read in His Word, He changes your heart from old to new - forming you in His image. You become more like Him each moment you spend with Him. Your Creator makes all things new - and He's continually shaping the perfect you!

I pray your relationship with God is alive. It's living and breathing and requires nourishment to survive. Much like tributaries pour into lakes and rivers, you give out of your spirit into all you do. When you give out, you can drain your reserves. God wants you full. I pray you may fill up as you renew your spirit and mind daily with His Word and in His presence. You're a life-giving river of living water. Take the time to fill up, pour out, and fill up again!!

"Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day."
2 Corinthians 4:16

Have a great Thursday.
Blessings to you

Living Life

Righteousness, Peace, and Joy

"For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."Romans 14:17

Sometimes life can be drudgery. We wake up in the morning. Get dressed. Go to work (or stay home to care for our children). We drag home in the evening, spend a little time with our loved ones, then drop into bed, exhausted. Oh, there's so much more to life! The Lord wants to remind you that He has given you righteousness, peace, and joy . . . for every day of your life! So, celebrate!!

Dear Lord, let us remember that every breath we breathe comes from You. Every step we take is a gift from You. We can do nothing apart from You. Every joy and every sorrow.... You go through each one with us. Your heart is for us. Help us to experience joy in our everyday lives, even when things aren't going our way. Help us simply remember that You are in control. We have our being....in You!! Amen

Blessings to you today. Spread some joy to those around you :O)

Patience

"My eyes strain to see your rescue, to see the truth of your promise fulfilled."Psalm 119:123

In an age of microwave meals, instant access, and ATMs, patience is fast becoming a lost virtue. Heaven forbid we're forced to use dial-up instead of broadband! But waiting is part of God's plan. It takes time for babies to mature, for seasons to change, for fruit to ripen, and sometimes for prayers to be answered. Having to wait on God's timing reminds us that God is not our genie in a bottle. He's our sovereign Lord.

Blessings on your Tuesday

You're Equipped

"You have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority." Colossians 2:10


Do you feel incomplete or inadequate, unable to carry out the tasks God has given you? You aren't, you know, if you tap into His Spirit. God equips you to do all things in Him. If you feel overwhelmed, make sure you haven't taken on tasks rightfully belonging to someone else. God does not overload your life with busyness. He has a purpose for all you do. So be certain you're serving in the right place, doing the work He planned for you.


Lord, life brings hard questions, and you don't always give me answers that make sense to me at the time. But you do give me yourself, and that, Lord, truly is more than enough for any situation I encounter. Thank you for always being with me. Amen


Blessings on your Monday.
Stay warm (again).
Hope you have a great week.

Friday's Challenge

This Weekend's Challenge

I will choose my words wisely.

"The lips of the godly speak helpful words, but the mouth of the wicked speaks perverse words." Proverbs 10:32

When we take our eyes off Christ for even a moment, it's easy to seek the applause of men rather than to live for God. Strive to keep your eyes on Christ in every moment.

My prayer for you this weekend:

I thank you for the ways you have made your love for me real through your people. May I be that kind of friend to someone today. Show me who needs a listening ear -- and empower me to be their friend. Amen.

Have a super weekend.Let me know how your challenge is going.
See you in church this weekend
Blessings,

New Bible Studies Starting Soon

We will have 3 new Bible Studies starting this month.
We would love to have you join us.

The Magnificent Obsession: Embracing the God-Filled Life by Anne Graham Lotz will begin Wednesday, February 23rd at 9:30am. Participant guides ($9.99) and Books ($14.99) will be available at Divine Coffee & Books. You will need the Participant guide and the book is not required but is a good resource with a lot of information. Childcare is available if needed.

You Matter More Thank You Think ~ What a Woman Needs to Know About the Difference She Makes by Dr. Leslie Parrott will begin Wednesday, February 23rd at 6:30pm. Workbooks are $5.50 and if you'd like a book it will be $13.99. Both will be available at Divine Coffee & Books. Childcare is also available if needed.

Beautiful Things Happen When A Woman Trusts God by Sheila Walsh will begin Monday, February 28th at 7:00pm. Books will be available at Divine Coffee & Books. Books will be $18.99.

There are 3 ways to sign up. You may sign up online (http://www.dsomaha.org/), at the information booth at church or send me an email (kami@dsomaha.org). If you know you'd like to attend, try to sign up so that I may order enough books for everyone.

If you have any questions, please let me know.
More information about each class is in the Winter Bible Study Opportunities Booklet at church or online as well.

Fruitfulness

"Jesus said, "Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me." John 15:4

You may think you aren't accomplishing anything in your life. Perhaps you work at a dead-end job or a disability has left you feeling useless and alone. No matter what your circumstances, God has a plan for you, and that plan is not out of reach. As long as you are looking to Him, your life will be fruitful and fulfilling. That's His will, His promise, and His plan.

Prayer for you:
Father, today I place my hand in your hand. Wherever you are going, I'm coming with you. I won't always understand the path or the whys, but I trust your heart. I trust your love. And help me, I pray, to grow in trust. Amen

WOW!! It is so beautiful outside. Take the time to breath in all the fresh air, listen to the birds sing and just be in awe and thankfulness at what God has given you today.
Blessings to you today,

Fresh Mercy

"The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning."
Lamentations 3:22-23

Don't you love the newness of morning? The dew on the grass? The awakening of the sun? The quiet stillness of the day when you can spend time alone with the Lord in solitude? Oh, what joy rises in our souls as we realize that God's love and mercy are new every morning! Each day is a fresh start, a new chance. Grace washes over us afresh, like the morning dew. Great is His faithfulness!

Prayer for you today:
Lord, allow me to receive Your great mercies as I trust in Your faithfulness, Your goodness. You are the delight of my soul in the land of the living. I surrender all my circumstances this day into Your capable hands. I confess my tendency to let my circumstances prevail, therefore, robbing my joy and hope. Jesus, You are my Hope, my Strong Tower, my Deliverer in whom I trust. Thank You for giving Your life that I might live and have abundant life, not a hopeless one. I give myself to Your encouragement.

Let me know in the deepest parts of my being that You remain when everything else I have trusted in departs. You stick closer than a brother. You are an ever-present help in times of affliction. I return Your love by trusting You. My hope is in You, Lord, my Everlasting Rock. I love You. I wait upon You this day for wisdom, guidance, hope, and enduring love. I love You. Amen.

Blessings on your day
Enjoy the sunshine

Health

"My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever." Psalm 73:26

You body is amazingly resilient, yet terminally fragile. Fashioned by God's lovingly creative hand, it was not designed to last. But you were. That's because you are so much more than your body. But God cares about all of you, your body and your soul. Even if your health fails. He will not. He is near. He hears every prayer, even those you hesitate to pray. Call on Him. His hope and healing reach beyond this life into the next.

Have a super day.
Blessings,

Gift of Love

"The LORD takes delight in his people."Psalm 149:4

God doesn't just like you -- He delights in you. You are so special to Him; He brought you into His salvation so He could spend eternity with you. God loves each of his children in a special way. You aren't just another in a long line of His people. He knows every bit of you, your faithfulness and failures, and loves each part of you "to pieces." We could never earn such love -- it is His special gift to each of us. Let's rejoice in that blessing today.

Father God, put a special message in this friends heart today to let her know with definite assurance that You love her. Help her cry out with confidence, "My God loves me so much." May she also realize that there are others around her, her mate, children, relatives, fellow workers, who let her know that she is loved. May she also reach out and assure these same people that they are loved by her. Since You are love, allow her to want to be love to those around her. For those that may be hurting and the loss of someone dear is so much today, give her an extra measure of strength today and show her that she is loved by You and those that surround her. In Jesus name, Amen

Have a super day. Show an extra measure of love and kindness today.
Enjoy the sunshine, warmer weather and the robins singing.
Blessings,

Friday's Challenge

This Weekend's Challenge

I will start each day with the Lord, committing all my plans to Him.
I will not hide my faith; help me to show it not only with words but with actions too.

"Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." Proverbs 16:3

My prayer for you this weekend:

I pray that people in your home, your neighborhood, your church, your workplace, your hobbies, and your recreational pursuits know that you are trying to serve God. I pray God will show you specifically where you can be a brighter light and be a more effective witness to others.

Have a super weekend.
Let me know how your challenge is going.

See you in church this weekend

Blessings,

Ambition

"Stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:58

Simply defined, ambition means determination to succeed. That's a positive thing -- essential, in fact, to accomplishing God's will and purpose for your life. It helps you look past the obstacles in your path -- age, health, education, lack of finances, etc. -- to the prize waiting on the other side. God wants you to be determined, even ambitious. He's given you that inner motivation to help you complete the task He's assigned to you. Thank Him for it!

Are you completing the task God has for you? Do you know what that task might be?
Be still and listen. He will tell you what that is.....
Blessings on your Thursday,

The Joy Set before Me

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2

Jesus walked through many seasons in His ministry here on earth. He walked through seasons of great favor, when crowds flocked to Him and when voices cried out, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!" But He also walked through seasons of ultimate rejections as He headed up Golgotha's hill. We will go through good times and bad, but, like Jesus, we can say, "But for the joy set before me . . . I will endure."

How do we shift from one project to the next? One phase of life to the next? We can move forward with joy leading the way when we realize that God is the Giver of the seasons. He designed them and showers us with blessings as we move through each one, even the tough ones! Good news! Change is always around the bend. Oh, the joy of knowing the hard times won't last.

Have a super day in the Lord. It is cold outside, BUT the sun is shining and the warmer temps are on the way. Praise God!!
Blessings

Learning

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you."
Psalm 32:8

To learn, you have to listen. Are you really listening to what God is trying to teach you? Whether it's reading the Bible, listening to a message at church, or receiving counsel from someone who is farther down the road of faith than you happen to be, there is always more to learn. Prepare your heart with prayer. Ask God to help you clearly understand what you need to learn and then act on what you hear.

My Prayer for YOU today:

Lord, heighten her spiritual senses to
see that which is not visible
hear that which is not audible
sense that which is not tangible
believe that which is unbelievable.
Teach her to sort through
the noises of this world to
hear and discern Your powerful,
wonderful, pure, precious voice.

Bundle up and stay warm. Hear God's voice to you today. What is he saying to you? Do you hear Him? Are you willing to do what He might be asking you to do? Think about it......
Blessings,

Contentment

"Now godliness with contentment is great pain."

1 Timothy 6:6

Paul warned Timothy against false teachers who wanted to use the church for financial gain. If these people were looking for security, they were on the wrong track. Money, which comes and goes, never brings real protection. Our security lies in God's provision. Whether or not we have a large bank account, we can feel content in Jesus. The One who brought us into the world will never forget we require food, clothing, and all the rest. When we truly trust in Jesus, contentment is sure to follow.

Look to the Shepherd

"The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want."

Psalm 23:1

No matter what your physical circumstances, if Jesus is your Shepherd, you never have to want spiritually. No matter what the world throws at you, you can be at peace. No fear overcomes those who follow the Shepherd as their King. He guides them through every trial, leading them faithfully into an eternity with Him. Are you lacking contentment today? Look to the Shepherd for peace.

Blessings on the start of a new week.

I pray you will be blessed this week, but also be a blessing to those you may come in contact with.

Friday's Challenge

This Weekend's Challenge

I will look for opportunities to give of myself without expecting anything in return.

"Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back." Luke 6:30

Jesus summed up the entire Bible by telling us to love God and love others. Look for ways to share God's love with those around you.
Be intentional. Write down some ideas and go for it!!

Have a super weekend.

Let me know how your challenge is going.
See you in church this weekend
Blessings

Guidance

"Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it," whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left." Isaiah 30:21

When we need answers, we often say we are "seeking God." And yet, we need not seek Him since He is ever near. Nor are we seeking answers from God, for He has already given us the answers we need. Instead, we are seeking to hear those answers, to tune out the busy thoughts and preconceived notions we carry with us. If you need answers, ask God to help you listen and discern, to open your ears to hear His voice that was there all along.

Be still and listen....
Blessings

Anxious Striving

"What does a man get for all the toil and anxious striving with which he labors under the sun?
Ecclesiastes 2:22

Sometimes, out of anxiety, we bury ourselves in work. We labor from sunup till sundown. There's nothing wrong with working hard, but striving is another thing altogether. When we "strive," we're not trusting God to do His part. We're taking matters into our own hands. Today, take a moment to ask yourself an important question; "Am I working, or am I striving?" Don't let the enemy steal your joy! Strive no more!

Find JOY on this cold wintery day,
Blessings

Assurance

"The LORD will work out his plans for my life -- for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever."
Psalm 138:8

Thoughout scripture, God continually reasures us that He's working on your behalf to accomplish the good things He has planned for our lives. If your confidence wavers, if you need to know for certain someone is on your side, if you're anxious about the future, do what people who've felt the very same way have done for centuries: Take God's words to heart. There's no greater assurance than knowing you're loved, completely and eternally.

God loves you and is working for you all the time

Blessings on your day,