Puzzled?

Eph. 2:8 & 10 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves.  It is the gift of God.  10.) For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance

Sometimes we feel like we don’t have the entire picture.  We can’t see the final design to what God is doing in our life.  It is hard to let go and wait on the Lord, especially for those of us who like to have a plan.

Even when we seek God for answers and direction we can still misinterpret where God is leading us. We may spend time in the word and in prayer asking God to lead us.  We may still feel confused by the decision and believe God is leading us in a direction, only to find out, after acting in faith we had made the wrong decision. That is okay, don’t spend time in “bad self-talk,” that is not from God.  Just simply acknowledge that you have made a mistake, give yourself grace, and move on.  Rest in the knowledge that God has your life all worked out and there is a purpose for you in God’s plan. 

God has all the pieces of your life in his hands; God can give you that one piece of the puzzle and an in instant your life will feel fulfilled and you will see your purpose.  God is the ultimate puzzle maker and he has your life all mapped out to make a beautiful picture.  I believe we will be able to see how it all worked together when we get to glory and then we won’t care because we will be with Him and all the “why’s” and worries won’t matter.

Please pray with me – Thank you father for having all the knowledge and control of our lives.  Please fill us with all spiritual wisdom and understanding.  Help us to feel your grace flowing over us and rest in that.  Please help us to bear good fruit in every good work we do.  Amen

Moving Mountains

Isaiah 26: 3-4 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.  Trust in the Lord forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.

We should live every day with courage, anticipation, and joy.  Realizing that we have the power of the Holy Spirit inside of us we should put our trust and faith in Jesus and live in faith. That is our part – God has already done His part.  He has given us His Holy Spirit to dwell in us and lead us.  God promises us we will have his strength.  Phil 4:13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

We need to stop settling for mediocre dreams and start dreaming God size dreams.  We need to live by faith. 2 Cor. 5: 7 We live by faith, not by sight. If you have a reoccurring dream and you have talked with God about that dream start acting on it.  Chances are good that he has put that dream in your heart.  If you feel like the dream is too big; you are not qualified for it; or you aren’t good enough; PERFECT.  God uses the unqualified, weak and humble all throughout the bible.  God qualifies the unqualified.

Please Pray with Me – Dear Lord, Thanks for giving us your Holy Spirit to guide us.  Thanks for the faith and strength you have given us.  Help us go out today and move mountains in your name we pray. Amen

Patience While We Wait

Deut. 30:8  The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

Do you feel discouraged? Have you been waiting on the Lord for healing; for your purpose to be revealed for your life; for work; for a child of yours to find their way?  Please don’t give up; put your trust in Jesus.  God promises us he will not leave you or forsake you.

It is hard not to get discouraged or be afraid.  We want things to work out in our timing.  When they don’t we wonder is “God there - is He listening?”  Yes, He is there and He does care for you and love you deeper and more purely then you can imagine.  God will turn your situation out for your good

You must focus on Jesus during the time of waiting.  Ask the Holy Spirit to control your mind when worry starts creeping into your mind.  Say out loud, “I praise you Jesus and I trust you”. Do something for someone else.  Turn on some praise music and sing out loud.  Focus on Jesus and ask for patience while you wait.  The wait will go much quicker when you stop waiting and start praising!

Please pray with me – Thank you Father that you love us so deeply.  More than we can even imagine.  Please forgive us for being impatient.  Help us to focus only on you.  Holy Spirit please control our minds and help us rest in your presence.  Amen

Hang Out With God

Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Are you trying to control your life so you will feel fulfilled and happy; by filling every free moment up during your day and week? Think of when you wind something up to tight.  What Happens? It either gets stuck (not moving forward) or it unwinds completely (losing its grip).

Try letting your schedule be more organic.  Leave time in your day for God. Take moments of time to talk with God.   Luke5:16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. God might have something to put on your heart to do.  Or he may want to just let you know how special and loved you are.  Who knows, God might even have a fun blessing for you to enjoy.  Live your life fully and abundantly don’t let life get (unwound) away from you.  John 10:10 The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy.  I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Leave time for prayer, reflection, and peace.  Let your life flow with God!

Please pray with me - Dear Lord thank you for wanting a personal relationship with us.  Please help us to find quiet space to hang out with you today and every day. We love you Lord and we long to be with you. Amen.

Rest For The Weary

Matthew 11: 28-30 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Do you ever feel tired and worn before you even get out of bed? Jesus says, “come to me and I will give you rest.”  Did you know you can rest even when you are busy, if you take God along with you?  Help yourself by leaning on Jesus the ultimate assistant.  Jesus is better than any planner, stress relieving class, pill or numbing device.

Jesus can restore you today.  Begin by inviting Him into your life and your daily plans.  Invite the Holy Spirit to give you council and guide your day.  Start your day with God.  If you have a hard time concentrating like I do when you pray use a prayer journal and write to God.  I write free hand and I just write God my thoughts and I ask Him questions as I write.  Try opening up your bible for 5 minutes and read.  What’s stopping you?  As the saying goes –If nothing changes, nothing changes.

Please Pray With Me – Dear Lord you are good and we praise you.  Please renew our strength.  Help us to run toward you and not grow weary.  Please give us the wisdom and strength for today. Amen

Simply A Prayer Today

Colo. 1:13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.

(Simply a prayer today using scripture)

Dear God please fill us with your Will through your spiritual wisdom and bless us with understanding.

Help us to live a life worthy of you and to bear good fruit in the work that we do.

Strengthen us with your power so that we might have endurance, patience and be joyful. Please forgive our sins.  Thank you for your grace and forgiveness.  Thank you for rescuing us from the darkness of the evil on.

Please bless us as we walk in faith, love and peace toward you.

Thank you for making us a part of your Holy, Pure, and Loving Kingdom.  Amen and Amen

Melt Into God's Loving Arms

Psalm 42: 1-3, 11 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, where is your God? 11. Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God for I will yet praise him, my savior and my God

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Do you feel downcast today? Maybe you are struggling with depression, illness, anxiety, loss of a job, or family issues.  Whatever your struggles may be, I am deeply sorry. To help you through this time try to envision yourself being held in God your Father’s loving, caring, and powerful arms.  Rest in him and envision your struggles melting away in his care.  Let God fill you with hope and strength today.

“You can only move forward when you fall back into Gods arms”  ~ Kevin Pike

Please pray with me  - Dear Father in heaven we thank you for your goodness and tender mercies.  Please help us to give you all our burdens and trials.  Help us to melt into your loving arms; letting ourselves completely go, so there can be more of you and less of us. Amen

Matthew 18: 3-4 and he(Jesus) said, I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  Therefore whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

How do children act?  Quite often children look at everything with joy, excitement, curiosity, and innocence.  They seem to embrace new things humbly and cheerfully.  A child may try something new just for the sake of trying it.  Not caring or even knowing if he/she did it well.  A child will color a picture and make the sky purple for instance, just because it looks good to them.  Or jump in a puddle just because it was there.

Try living life like a child; enjoy each day that God gives you and treat it as a gift.  Do something creative. Make a new friend. Try something new that you feel God put on your heart.  Don’t worry about tomorrow and don’t stress out about the past.  For today put on a smile in faith.  Ask God to help you feel his presence and enjoy your day.  Smile : )

Please pray with me – Dear Lord thank you that we can come to you like children.  Teach us to enjoy life and let go of the worries of this world.  Help us to live a joyful abundant life in Christ.  We smile up at you and say “thanks dad” for the gift of this life and the gift of Christ.  Amen

You are Royalty

Romans 14: 17-18 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.  Because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.

We love Jesus.  He provides for our daily needs.  Jesus forgives us when we sin.  Jesus calls us his child. He wants to lead us and protect our life's.  It is time we appreciate what God has done for us through Jesus. We should walk around thinking I am a “Prince/Princes” a child of the King.  When we think that thought we can be full of joy in the Holy Spirit.

Today look in the mirror and say to yourself, “I am princes/prince (your name). Put a smile on your face and receive the pure joy and love of being Gods child (royal child) that He lavishes on you as his kiddo!

Please pray with me – Thank you Jesus.  I receive your Holy Spirit in me and I am grateful and in awe to be your child. Amen!

Is worrying Idolatry?

Phil. 4: 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near do not be anxious about anything, but in prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your request to God.  And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

I believe we spend too much of our time thinking about our problems, trying to solve them on our own, and dwelling on the future and what could happen.  Could that be a form of idolatry?

I believe it is.  Worry distracts us from dwelling on God.  Our brain reacts and works how we train it.  So if we worry and practice negative thinking we train our brains to respond in that way first.  Today start training your brain to think of good thoughts, positive God honoring thoughts.  Ask the Holy Spirit to help you heal your brain and train you to think of God and praise him rather than worry.  Eventually you will begin training your brain to be positive and your first response to something might be, “I can’t wait to see how God is going to solve this” or “I wonder how God is going to use this for my good – I trust you God.”

I am working on this “brain training” myself.  It is not easy, but I am getting better at it every day.

Please pray with me – Dear Abba Father thanks for having the ultimate control of our life and for being our daddy who wants what is good for us. Forgive us when we worry. Help us to guard our hearts and our minds. Please help us to practice only dwelling on you, your goodness, holiness and loving presence.  Amen.

Take Action In Faith

Psalm 29:7 The Lord is my strength and my shield:  My heart trusts in him; and I am helped.

God provides for us our daily needs and he protects us.  I have noticed throughout the New Testament when Jesus provides for or performs a miracle the person(s) on the receiving end, has to have an action of faith first.  

See Matthew 14: 25-32 Jesus is walking on the water toward his disciples.  Peter wants to join him. Jesus has him walk on water to himself.  Peter’s action is to trust and step out of the boat and walk on the water.  Then when Peter begins to doubt he starts to sink.  Jesus says take my hand Peter.  Peter gives his hand to Jesus (action in trust) and he is safe. 

 When the waves of this life are raising around us Gods calls us to trust him, focus on him, and take his hand.  Move toward God in faith and let him work on what needs to be done in your life.  Your action should be trust and acting in faith as he works for your good. Don’t settle for a human solution when you have God who can give you a solution that is way beyond your human imagination.

Please pray with me – Dear Father thank you for being a God who listens and provides for us.  Help us move to action in faith.  Please be our shepherd and carry us forever. Amen

Heathy Boundaries

(Jesus explaining a parable) Matthew 13: 38-39 The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom.  The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil.  The harvest is the end of the age and the harvesters are angels. Matthew 13: 41-42 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil.  They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

I believe God wants us to love our enemies and to serve them.  I also believe in doing that we must be careful to put up healthy boundaries around ourselves and our family. 

These verse really bothered me today, in light of some horrific things in the news lately about people doing evil acts.  It seems to me that there are those that are satan’s children and the scripture says the weeds are sons of the devil.

God has the final judgment.  Until a person dies they have a chance to repent and enjoy eternal life.  But as a wife and mother I must be careful of who I let in my closest inner circle of friends.  We must protect ourselves from evil and protect the children who we are raising to be God’s children from the evil that is growing right beside us.

Please pray with me – Holy Righteous Father thank you for sending us Jesus and thank you for protecting us from the devil and his schemes.  We know you will have the final word.  We also know your kingdom has won the war already.  Please block satan and his angels away from us and our families.  Thanks Lord that we are on your team.  Go Jesus!  Amen!

Taming The Tongue

Matthew 12: 35-37 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.  But I tell you that man will have to give account on the Day of Judgment for every careless word they have spoken.  For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.

Ouch - Give an account for every carless word I have spoken? These verses are a reminder to me that I need to fill myself up daily with the Holy Spirit, God’s word, and praise songs.  It is a constant battle to say and do the right thing. I am sorry to say that I have lost that battle often with family members.  It seems in my home is the first place I lose the battle of the tongue.

Today I am thankful for:  Jesus’ instruction.  I am thankful for wisdom to repent and move forward with God.  I am thankful that my words can also acquit me.   I am most thankful for Jesus, forgiveness and grace.

Please pray with me – Dear Father thank you for your grace and forgiveness.  Thank you Lord for you Holy word.  It is as relevant today as it was 2000 years ago.  Help us to guard our tongues and to use our words carefully, especially in front of those who are closest to us and to those we need to set an example too.  We love you Lord. Amen

Repay Good For Evil

Romans 12: 19-21 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written; “It is mine to avenge; I will repay, “says the  Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.  In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Have you ever had a moment that someone was mean to you and you responded back with meanness?  How did it feel?  Possibly good for a minute- then did guilt set in?

I had an opportunity the other day to make the right choice.  I was in my car backing out of a parking spot.  I had been waiting for traffic to clear and I thought I could go.  I started inching my way out.  I didn’t see there was a car coming.  She hit the horn not in a nice “excuse me way” but she laid on the horn in anger.  (or maybe her hand just got stuck) My first thought was to give her a not so friendly hand gestor.  You know the one.  But by god’s grace, I thought you are a Christian, respond that way.  I must admit it was hard.  Nobody would know who I was and I could repay her meanness and would possibly feel better temporarily, but that is not what God calls us to do.  Do not repay evil for evil.

Please pray with me – Holy Father thank you for your word and instruction.  Forgive us when we mess up.  Give us wisdom to make the right choice and repay good for evil. Amen

Feeling Worn?

2 Cor. 12:9-10 But he said to me, “my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.  For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Have you ever just had one of the days, weeks or years, where life seems to beat you down?  It seems like it is an effort to just to get out of bed in the morning.  You can invite the healing Holy Spirit into you and ask the Holy Spirit to heal you and do his work in you as you wait for the Lord.  Also ask God to give you His strength.  That is Gods promise to you and me – that when we are weak he is strong and his strength will work in us.  Isn’t that amazing?  We don’t have to do life on our own.  We can say, “God today I am going to rely on your strength.” He WILL carry us through the difficult times; the day, week or the year.  Whatever your need is- God is there!

Please pray with me – Loving Father thank you for being our daddy.  Thank you for being our strength when we feel worn.  Today Lord I say I am weak and I will rely on your strength.  Thank you in advance for the strength I will feel today through you! AMEN 

The Kingdom of Heaven is in you!

Luke 17: 20-21 Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘here it is’ or ‘There it is’, because the kingdom of God is within you.”

“Because the kingdom of God is within you.”  As I reflect on that I am humbled and amazed that God’s kingdom is within me/you.  I believe with that comes responsibility to honor God; by watching what we say, by watching what we do, by watching what we see.

God’s kingdom is Holy and pure and I want to honor him by doing the best that I can.  When I mess up I know his Holy Spirit will guide me and make me aware of my sin.  I have a choice at that point to honor God and embrace his kingdom inside of me by repenting and turning toward him or pushing His kingdom away from me and ignoring His guidance. With Gods help we can make the right choice and enjoy His kingdom inside of us.

Please pray with me – Thank you Lord that your kingdom is within us.  What a privilege and an honor to have your kingdom (your Holy Spirit) dwell within us.  It is also a great responsibility. Help us to keep your kingdom pure by our thoughts and deeds. AMEN

Revelations 21: 10 & 11 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.  It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.

Do you feel like you need a vacation, time away from the pressures of life and cold?  Maybe life’s circumstances keep you from taking a vacation; illness, financial struggles, work and deadlines.

Life on earth is a short journey compared to eternity.  I urge you to keep the faith and hope in the Lord.  When we get to heaven our eternity will be spent in paradise.  We know eternity in heaven will far outshine even the most beautiful place on earth.   Can you imagine that with me?  What does your perfect place look like?  Who will be there with you?  Now that is Heaven!  Rev. 21:23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the lamb its lamp.

Please pray with me – Heavenly Father thank you for creating this beautiful earth for us to enjoy.  Please help us to be content when things don’t feel so perfect and we long for something more.  Thank you that when we have finished this life we will be able to spend eternity with you in paradise.  Amen.

Are we suppose to confront someone?

Gal. 6:1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself or you may be tempted.

Do you mean that we are supposed to confront someone if they are sinning or preparing to sin? Absolutely!  But do it out of love. Before you go to that person spend time praying; Ask God to show you how you are sinning first, so you can repent. Ask God if your reasons for going to that person are  pure and holy. Do not go to others to discuss the matter. 

Then when you meet with that person; Do it with love. Do it as their peer because you too have also fallen short of God’s glory.  It is only through God’s grace by sending Jesus that we all can be called blameless in front of God.

Please pray with me – Holy merciful father in heaven we ask that you show us where we are falling short and sinning.  Please forgive us and help us turn from our sin.  Please help us to go to our brother/sister gently and in love to speak to them your truth.  Give us the words to say and prepare their hearts and minds to be obedient and respond to them.  Please give us courage and a tender loving heart and mind.  Amen

Let you light shine : )

Matthew 5: 14-16 you are the light of the world.  A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Do you let your light shine (God’s light) in your home? Are you joyful in front of those who you love the most; your spouse, your children, family and friends?  I believe God wants us to be joyful in Christ.  Practice thinking positive thoughts.  Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you on this.  I personally am making it a goal this year to stop negative thinking.  I want to shine “Jesus light” to people around me.  I will mess up.  I have had a lot more practice thinking negatively, but when I do mess up I hope I will catch myself and dwell on Gods goodness and all He has, does and will do!  Let Gods light shine on those around you today. SMILE!

Please pray with me – Thank you Father for being the light of the world.  Thank you for your goodness and love.  Please fill us with your healing Holy Spirit.  Help us to practice thankfulness and positive life giving thoughts.  We love you Lord! Amen

Dreams and Signs from God

Matthew 2:19 After Herod died an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt. (Read Matthew 2)

I noticed in Matthew 2 the story after Jesus was born that there were many dreams and signs for Joseph (Jesus’ father) and the wise men to respond too. The wise men responded when they saw the “star” and they traveled to Jesus to worship him.  After being warned in a dream the wise men did not go back the way they came.  The evil King Herod had told them to report back to him when they found Jesus so he could kill him.  Joseph was warned by an angel in a dream to protect Jesus and move him and his mother to another town.  Then in another dream he was told Herod was dead and he could move again.

Do we see the signs God has given us? Do we respond to the dreams God has given us? The dreams or signs could be warnings or encouragement to move toward an opportunity from God or move away from a future harmful sin.

Please pray with me – Thank you Father for caring for us so intimately.  Help us to see the signs and respond to the dreams you have given us.  You only want the best for us.  Please help us to hear you, see you and respond in obedience.  Amen

Start 2015 seeking God

Jeremiah 29: 11-3 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. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Happy New Year!  We are blessed to have another year given to us.  This is a great time to have a fresh start.  Maybe God has put it on your heart that you need to spend time seeking him.  Make a commitment to God today to spend time daily with him in prayer and reading His word.  Set some time for him daily before you even let your feet hit the floor in the morning.  There is a peace when you start your day with God.  To help me make this a habit a few years ago a friend and I decided we would hold each other accountable to spend time in the word. It was great to have someone ask me if I had been reading the word.  You will be blessed when you seek God with all of your heart. 

Please pray with me – Thank you Lord for this New Year, a fresh start and a new chance to seek you!  Help us to start this New Year seeking you daily with prayer and reading your word. Please soften our hearts and gently remind us to return to you and to rely on you.  Amen