Walk in Love

Ephesians 5:2
"and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." (TNIV)

Make it a point to show love to those around you. It may be challenging at times with some people, but ask God for help. I normally have to change my attitude and I ask God to help me see the other person the way he sees them. Have a great Tuesday!

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for Jesus. Thank you that we have a perfect example of love through him. Help me to show kindness to those around me and to walk in love. In Jesus' name, Amen.

What are you reflecting?

Proverbs 27:19
"As water reflects the face, so one's life reflects the heart." (TNIV)

This one kind of hits home for me. The life you live truly reflects your heart. Your actions really tell about your character. I want my life to reflect love and peace and God's goodness. My life will only reflect this if I am in God's word and trying to obey. Think about what you want to reflect and look to God's word for help.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for your Word and your guidance. I pray for your will in my life and that my life will reflect your love. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Obedience

2 Corinthians 9:13
"Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else." (NIV)

This is what I am striving for! I am definitely in a transformation period in my life and I just want to obey God. I know that when I truly seek Him everything else will fall into place. Happy Friday everyone!

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for your Word and drawing me near. I want to be obedient to you. Lord, I pray that you will remove what is standing in the way of that obedience. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Believe!

Romans 3: 22
"This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe..." (TNIV)

Believe with all your hear that Jesus is the Son of God and that he can do more than we could ever imagine. Whatever our situation may be Jesus is big enough! We must keep our faith and He will amaze us. Have a wonderful day!

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for Jesus, thank you for your Word and your faithfulness. You are awesome. Father, make yourself real to all who believe. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Strength & Protection

2 Thessalonians 3:3
"But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one." (TNIV)

No worries--God has got us covered! Start your day knowing that God is faithful and that you will be protected. You will encounter difficulties, but take a deep breath and say a little prayer; God will get you through! Have a great day!

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for giving me strength and protection. I pray that I will look to you before I react. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

At His Feet

Today, I am just in his word. Take a moment to spend a little time with Jesus today.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for your Son. I pray that I will grow closer to you as I learn and apply your Word. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Inspired

This morning I was inspired by a Proverbs 31 devotion by Tracie Miles and the verses that she used spoke to me. I have decided to put the focus only on these verses because they are powerful, meaningful & relevant...and definitely worth sharing! Soak up these verses and ask God for his help in applying them and relying on His strength.

Psalm 25:1-5

1 In you, LORD my God, I put my trust. 2 I trust in you; do not let me put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. 3 No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause.

4 Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. 5 Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are my God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. (TNIV)

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for your HOPE. Thank you for your word and guidance. I ask that you will help me apply your truths to my life. I ask that you will help my rely only on you. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Love is...

1 Corinthians 13:4
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud." (TNIV)

How many times have you read or heard this verse? Yet somehow, every time I read it I learn something new. I am reminded of simple concepts that have a powerful impact on my life--if I would live by it daily! It is so easy to get consumed by life that we forget what is most important LOVE. Today, let the little frustrations go and let LOVE be your focus and see what happens. Have a great Friday and a wonderful weekend!

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for your Love. Help me to share your love with those around me. I pray that I can focus on your love daily and let little frustrations go. Thank you for reminding me of what is really important. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Self-Control

Proverbs 25:28
"Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control." (TNIV)

There are so many areas where one can lose self-control and we have to be on guard all the time. The best way to do this is to keep God's word in our hearts. It is so easy to slip up. I mess up all the time--I know when I do and I know that I need God's word even more! Take a deep breath and say a quick prayer and God will help you.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for your HELP. I pray that your word will be deep in my heart where I can recall it in the times that I am tested. Father help me to lean on you in every situation. Thank you, In Jesus' name, Amen.

No Judging

Luke 6:37
"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." (TNIV)

Try to keep an open mind as you meet new people and be accepting of differences. There is no telling how much beauty we will see in others if we will just open our hearts, minds and eyes to others. Have a wonderful day!

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for your forgiveness and your Word. Father help me to see others the way you see them. Help me be quick to forgive. Thank you. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Your good attitude is contagious!

Hebrews 10:24
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." (TNIV)

When we help and encourage others an amazing thing happens--it spreads. Just like one bad attitude can upset everyone, a good attitude can do much more. Make a point to have a good attitude everyday and help others do the same.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for your love. Father help me to have a good attitude and share your love with those around me. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Always Have Hope

Psalm 70:14
"As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more." (TNIV)

What a great verse. Never give up hope! We serve a mighty God and He definitely has your back. Praise Him everyday and make time for Him, so you can have a daily supply of renewed HOPE! Have a great Monday~

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for your everlasting hope. I pray that as I seek you I will constantly be refilled with your hope. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Enjoy Life

Ecclesiastes 8:15
"So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for people under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun." (TNIV)

Happy Friday Everyone! Let's all take God's advice and enjoy our lives today. Make it a point to enjoy your life at whatever point you may be at--enjoy the present. Have a great weekend!!!

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for this day. Thank you for everything you have given me. I want to enjoy this day that you have blessed me with! Thank you. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Joy

Psalm 126:5
"Those who sow with tears will reap songs of joy." (TNIV)

I love this verse. It is inspiring and gives hope. We may be sowing with tears right now, but God says that we will "reap songs of joy." Keep the faith, keep working to the best of your ability, and keep God's word in your heart and He will bless you.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for your word. Thank you that you are in control. Father, help me to keep my eyes on you and give me the strength to do the best I can. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Proverbs 19:11
"A person's wisdom yields patience; it is to one's glory to overlook an offense." (TNIV)

As we grow in God's word we also grow in patience. The He strengthens us and know Him more we will want to forgive others--just as we have been forgiven. Look for opportunities to "overlook" offenses today.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for your forgiveness. Lord open my heart to know you better. Father I pray that I can overlook offenses and readily forgive others just as you have forgiven me. Thank you. I ask all of this in Jesus' name, Amen.

Strengthen my Hands

Nehemiah 6:9
..."But I prayed 'Now strengthen my hands.'" (TNIV)

Ask God to strengthen your hands as you seek to do His will. We are going to have hard times and it is God's strength that will get us through.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for your strength. I pray that you will strengthen our hands to do your will. Thank you for your promises! In Jesus' name, Amen.

Sweet Monday Treat

1 John 3:18
"Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." (TNIV)

This Monday make a point to let your actions stand out. Show people God's goodness by being thoughtful and helping someone out--share God's "sweet treats" with those around you. A "sweat treat" can be anything God puts on your heart to do for someone else. Just listen and look around He will show you. Have a great Monday!

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for goodness. Father I pray that you will help me share your goodness with those around me. Thank you for another day! In Jesus High & Holy name, Amen.

30th Wedding Anniversary

Ephesians 5:33
"However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband." (TNIV)

We will be celebrating my mom & dad's 30th wedding anniversary this weekend. This verse is so relevant to a lasting marriage. The husband is to love his wife as himself and the wife is to respect her husband. How easy is it to just get so wrapped up in ourselves that we loose the true meaning of marriage. To everyone who is married, look to God's word and follow his instructions and He will bless your marriage. Congratulations mom & dad! I pray that you have many more anniversaries! Love you!!!

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for my parents and that they have such a strong bond. Lord I pray your will in my marriage and in all of my friends marriages. I pray that we will follow your word and each experience marriage as it was intended. Thank you. In Jesus' name, Amen.

1 Corinthians 12:4
"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them." (TNIV)

What are you good at? What do you have a passion for? Ask God to help you share your gifts with others in some way. Do not believe the lies of the enemy--whatever he may be telling you what you can't do. God is awesome and he equips us!

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for our unique gifts. If anyone is having trouble knowing what their gift is Lord I pray that you will reveal it to them. Help us to develop our gifts and show us how we can use them for you. In Jesus' name, Amen. 

Grace

2 Corinthians 12:9
"My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." (NKJ)

Why is this such a hard concept to grasp? Does anyone else have a hard time with self-forgiveness? God's grace is sufficient, period. Everyday I must rely on God's grace and dispute any lies that contradict His truth! The enemy loves to use the same lies over and over. No matter what the enemy is throwing at you today stand firm and know that God's grace is all that you need.
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for your word. Thank you for your truth. You are awesome, Lord. Help me to rely solely on you. You are all that I need. In Jesus' name, amen.

Luke 9:23
"Then he said to them all, 'If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.'" (NKJ)

Everyday we need to put ourselves aside and get our focus on Him. When we do this we will care for others more than ourselves. This is not easy to do--that is why he tells us to do it daily. Living life day by day is the way to go.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for dying for my sins. Thank you for your forgiveness. Lord, I ask that you help me take one day at a time and put my focus on you. Help me to share your light with those around me. Help me to deny myself and my selfish desires, so I can be used by you. Thank you. In Jesus' name, Amen.

1 Samuel 16:7
"...The Lord does not look at the things human beings look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (TNIV)

Women always seem to struggle with their looks. We never seem to be quite satisfied. If we put our focus on God first, then attitudes start to change and we start seeing ourselves differently. Our inner beauty starts to radiate--the inner beauty that only comes from God. When we put Him first you will want to take care of your body because He is in you. Ask God to help you develop your inner beauty and ask if he can help you make healthy lifestyle changes. Hold your head up high, you are a unique masterpiece created by God.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for creating me just the way I am. Help me to develop my inner beauty by spending more time with you. Lord show me things that I need to change in my life that will hinder your work--things that create self-doubt or low self-esteem. Father, I ask that you help me take care of the body you created just for me. I ask everything in Jesus' High & Holy name, Amen.