Prosperous Love

"Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends."
Proverbs 17:0

When we forgive someone who has wronged us, we're offering proof of our love. No, forgiving doesn't always mean reconciliation. Sometimes we need to separate for a season. Forgiveness doesn't imply an ongoing close relationship. God often calls friends and loved ones to take a sabbatical from each other. But love and forgiveness are still in order, even in the toughest situations.

Determination

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful."
Hebrews 10:23

God doesn't want you to ever give up on becoming the person He created you to be. He wants to see you follow the dream He's placed in your heart, develop your talent, fulfill your mission in life. Sure, sometimes you will feel like giving up, trying something easier. But remember that a reward waits for you on the other side of the finish line - a reward more wonderful than you can imagine. You can count on that because God has promised.

Kind Words

"Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one."
Colossians 4:6

Your words are a vital part of your witness. Speak to an unbeliever ungraciously, and chances are good that she will never forget it. But study and grow in the Word; then speak wisely and generously to others, and God can use your words to win them to His kingdom. People respond well to kindness and flavorful speech. What are your words saying today?

Expectations

"Be brave. Be strong. Don't give up. Expect God to get here soon."
Psalm 31:24

Trusting God can help transform you into a "glass half full" kind of person. You can face every day, even the tough ones, with confidence and expectation because you're aware there's more to this life than can be seen. You can rest in the promise that God is working all things together for your good. You know death is not the end. In other words, you can expect that great things lie ahead. Why not anticipate them with thanks and praise?

Dear Lord, help me to anticipate great things. I know you answers may arrive in ways and at a time that I least expect it. In Your name, Amen.

Direction

"The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps."
Proverbs 16:9

You carefully thought-through plans may not play out as you envisioned they would. Life isn't predictable. Certainly it's not perfect. But one thing is sure. God knows the way through the good and disappointing times. He guides your steps, bringing opportunities across your path that will shape your character and help you become the wise woman you long to be. Let God direct you. He knows the way. He is the absolute best trail guide you could ever have.

Future

"Always respect the Lord. Then you will have hope for the future."
Proverbs 23:17-18

Even for wise women of God, the future sometimes appears blurry. What do you do when circumstances change? Plans don't work out like you thought they would? You lose something you cherish? There are no cookie-cutter answers. Yet as a woman with a heart for God, you can pause and remember when God has helped you in the past. You might even write these memories down. Now choose to let these previous times give you hope for what you'll face tomorrow.

Dear Lord, I don't like change. No one really does. The uncertain can be very stressful. Help me remember that You have always been there for me and You know the plan You have for me. In Your Name, Amen.

For God So Loved . . .

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

 

The ultimate expression of love, one that will never be surpassed, took place when God sent Jesus. His only Son, to die on the cross for our sins. "For God so loved . . . that He gave . . . " That's what love does. It gives and gives and gives. Love is sacrifice - and in the person of Jesus Christ we witness the ultimate sacrifice. Today, as you ponder God's love for you, rejoice in the fact that He gave Himself willingly for you.

 

Dear Lord, in the Old Testament days, only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies to spend intimate time with You. However, when your Son Jesus died on the cross, the veil in the temple was torn in two! I now have free access to the Holy of Holies, and Jesus invites me to enter . . . often! He longs to spend time with me in that place. And Oh, what joy, when I enter in. Help me make that choice today. In Your Name I pray, Amen.

Humility

"With humility comes wisdom." Proverbs 11:2

The Bible says that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God, ruling and reigning with His Father from their heavenly throne room. And yet, He did the unthinkable. He chose to be born as a baby, live as one of us, and then suffer reproach and abuse, finally death. He humbled Himself and allowed Himself to be placed on the cross - for you. His humility accomplished the plan of salvation. Imagine what your humble obedience to His will can accomplish.

Dear Lord, humility is not easy. It means making a choice to do the difficult thing, the God thing. I want to submit myself to You and reap the benefits of humility. In Your Name, Amen.

God Chooses the Unlikely

"But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things - and the things that are not - to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him." 1 Corinthians 1:27-29

 

God purposely chooses those who are the most unlikely candidates for the job. By doing so, He has a wide-open door to show His grace, mercy and power to change human lives. When God uses someone like me or many others He is using, we realize that our source is not in ourselves but in Him alone; "[This is] because the foolish thing [that has its source in ] God is wiser than men, and the weak thing [that springs] from God is stronger than men." (1 Corinthians 1:25) Each of us has a destiny, and there is absolutely no excuse not to fulfill it. We cannot use our weakness (see 2 Corinthians 12:9). We cannot use the past as an excuse, because God tells us through the apostle Paul that if any person is in Christ, he is a new creature, old things have passed away, and all things have become new (see 2 Corinthians 5:17).

How God sees us is not the problem. It is how we see ourselves that keeps us from succeeding. Each of us can succeed at being everything God intends us to be.

Everyday Love

You Are Beautiful

In case you haven't heard it lately, let me lean and whisper close...

 

You're beautiful.

 

Not because of the clothes you wear.

 

The number of candles on your cake.

 

The color of your skin or hair or toenail polish.

 

You're beautiful simply because of this...

 

You are made in the image of God.

 

And there's a part of who He is that we only get to see through you.

 

Isn't that a miracle?

 

You are a miracle, my sister.

 

You are gorgeous in ways that only eternity will fully reveal.

 

So stand tall, be who you are, smile that smile and add your own kind of lovely to the world today.