But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
~Galatians 5:22-23
In reading this today I keyed in on two words, "patience and self-control." I don't mind saying that I need both. Patience with my kids and self-control over eating. My kids are a blessing, I just wish I could see that all of the time. It would sure help my relationship with them. And when I eat, I tend to go way overboard. Eating is fun, but in moderation. Moderation - A word I know nothing about!!!
Dear Father, thank you for reaching me with this verse today!! Please let the Holy Spirit work within me to give me patience and self-control. Please allow me to experience all of the things you listed in the verse. I long to be the type of person that you would enjoy having as part of Your family! I ask this in Jesus' name, Amen!!
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
God's Will, Not Our Own
He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, "My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine."
~Matthew 26:39
How often do I pray that MY will be done? Fortunately not as much as I used to, but I still find myself dipping into the ME well from time to time. I think it's human nature to be concerned with what happens to us. It is a very earthly perspective.
But, God knows what is in our hearts. He knows the way I would like to see things unfold, but if it isn't in God's plans for it to happen, then it won't. And that is where I need to put my Faith into practice. I need to have faith that God will do what is right, even if that's the exact opposite of what I would hope for.
Dear Father, thank you for letting me come in prayer before You. It is awesome that You would allow that line of communication to be open and that You care enough that listen to my prayers. As I sit down to pray every day, please let me focus on Your will, not my own. I ask this in Jesus' name, Amen!!
~Matthew 26:39
How often do I pray that MY will be done? Fortunately not as much as I used to, but I still find myself dipping into the ME well from time to time. I think it's human nature to be concerned with what happens to us. It is a very earthly perspective.
But, God knows what is in our hearts. He knows the way I would like to see things unfold, but if it isn't in God's plans for it to happen, then it won't. And that is where I need to put my Faith into practice. I need to have faith that God will do what is right, even if that's the exact opposite of what I would hope for.
Dear Father, thank you for letting me come in prayer before You. It is awesome that You would allow that line of communication to be open and that You care enough that listen to my prayers. As I sit down to pray every day, please let me focus on Your will, not my own. I ask this in Jesus' name, Amen!!
Friday, February 8, 2013
You Never Know...
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
~Matthew 24:42-44
The Lord is coming. Maybe not on Sunday, Sunday, Sunday, but he is coming! Do I know when? Absolutely not. Am I keeping a calendar to check off the days? No. Do I look out my window several times a day to see if I can spot Him? Nope.
But the one thing I TRY to do is live by His word everyday. That way I can be ready for the coming of Jesus. It is said that God only knows what you do when no one else is looking, so I TRY to be doing what God would expect from His children. Sometimes I fall short of that goal, but if I pray, read and meditate on the bible and show love to everybody, I will train myself to do what God likes to see. Then, I will be ready for the Son Of Man.
Father, thank you for the promise of Heaven. Thank you also for the gift of Your son. Help keep me on the right track through out my life here on earth so that I can be ready when You decide the time has come for Your return. I ask this in Jesus' name, Amen.
~Matthew 24:42-44
The Lord is coming. Maybe not on Sunday, Sunday, Sunday, but he is coming! Do I know when? Absolutely not. Am I keeping a calendar to check off the days? No. Do I look out my window several times a day to see if I can spot Him? Nope.
But the one thing I TRY to do is live by His word everyday. That way I can be ready for the coming of Jesus. It is said that God only knows what you do when no one else is looking, so I TRY to be doing what God would expect from His children. Sometimes I fall short of that goal, but if I pray, read and meditate on the bible and show love to everybody, I will train myself to do what God likes to see. Then, I will be ready for the Son Of Man.
Father, thank you for the promise of Heaven. Thank you also for the gift of Your son. Help keep me on the right track through out my life here on earth so that I can be ready when You decide the time has come for Your return. I ask this in Jesus' name, Amen.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
God's Word
Good and upright is the Lord;therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.
~Psalm 25:8-9
I am very grateful that God teaches people in the right way to be. But how does He do that? It's a simple answer (but I'm am just starting to understand completely). The Bible is the answer. And I will accept "God's Word," if this were a game show. That probably wasn't funny!!
Psalm 25 also states, "Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior,and my hope is in you all day long." (vs 4-5)
To me, that is why I need to read and meditate on the Bible more often, as many times a day as I can. I am also learning that the meditation part is pretty important too!! I used to just read the bible as I was reading a novel or biography, never really taking the time to let it sink in. Those days are over. If I am having trouble with a piece of what I have just read, I read it again and if I need to, I ask God to reveal what He is saying in the text in front of me.
Father, I know that you have given the Bible to use as a way to communicate Your laws and what is right in Your eyes. Never let the thirst for Your word die out within me. Please be there while I am reading the bible - to ask you questions and to give special thought to what You are saying. I ask this in Jesus' name, Amen!!!
~Psalm 25:8-9
I am very grateful that God teaches people in the right way to be. But how does He do that? It's a simple answer (but I'm am just starting to understand completely). The Bible is the answer. And I will accept "God's Word," if this were a game show. That probably wasn't funny!!
Psalm 25 also states, "Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior,and my hope is in you all day long." (vs 4-5)
To me, that is why I need to read and meditate on the Bible more often, as many times a day as I can. I am also learning that the meditation part is pretty important too!! I used to just read the bible as I was reading a novel or biography, never really taking the time to let it sink in. Those days are over. If I am having trouble with a piece of what I have just read, I read it again and if I need to, I ask God to reveal what He is saying in the text in front of me.
Father, I know that you have given the Bible to use as a way to communicate Your laws and what is right in Your eyes. Never let the thirst for Your word die out within me. Please be there while I am reading the bible - to ask you questions and to give special thought to what You are saying. I ask this in Jesus' name, Amen!!!
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Satan
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
~ Matthew 4:8-11
Have I ever had that type of face-to-face encounter with the devil? Of course not. But, Satan does affect my life. I am talking about sin. The devil delights in it. As I have begun to grow in my faith, I have learned it's ok to say what Jesus said to the devil, "Away from me Satan!!"
I can say that because I know that God is on my side. If I need further encouragement I can go to Him in prayer or read His Word. God loves me, despite my failings. It's great when your tag-team partner is God!!!
Father, I praise everything that you have done in the heavens and on earth. You even had time left over to create me. I am very thankful of that fact and I want only to do good in your eyes. Please be with me morning, noon and night so that I can not be tempted by Satan. Amen!
Monday, February 4, 2013
A Work In Progress
How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
By living according to your word.
10 I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
By living according to your word.
10 I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
-Psalm 119:9-11
I read Psalm 119 last night. It is a long Psalm, but Ezra was saying things that I wanted to say to God. I truly do seek to follow You with all my heart. I know that sometimes I will not meet that challenge, but that's ok if I rely on the Lord and ask for forgiveness and strength in those times that I have failed or do not measure up.
I am a work in progress. Although, I think I am a very slow work in progress. I am a Yugo trying to keep up with God who is driving a Ferrari. I have no idea where that came from!! But, I think you know what I am saying. As long as I keep my eyes and heart on God, I believe that everything will work out for the best.
Dear Father, my heart is on fire for you; let my mind always do the same. I know that Your ways are what You strive for us to follow and I pray that you will help me seek Your guidance and repentance as I start on this long journey to become more like You. I thank you and ask this in Jesus' name, Amen!!
Friday, February 1, 2013
God is right there! Go pray to him.
Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
~1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Prayer. It's such an awesome thing we get to do. We can praise God, ask for his blessing, talk to talk Him and confess our sins. And the best part is, we can do this anytime of day or night for as long as we want.
I say all of these things and feel blessed that I get to go before the Lord with my prayers and praise, but how often do I really do it? I know that God is waiting to hear my prayers but why do I sometimes not pray? As I am learning to walk closer to God, I need to be much better about praying. I need to just sit down (or kneel down...) and just praise him.
Sometimes, I need to focus solely on Him, not my little earthly things. Or, if I am having a problem, who better to talk to then God? If a friend or loved one has something going on in their lives, pray about it. If the sky is the bluest it's ever been, I need to stop right there to thank and praise God for it.
Dear Father, I know that I do not pray as often as I should. I get distracted by earthly pursuits such as TV, instead of just sitting down and praising you or just talking with you. As I go further and deeper in my Christian life, I need to pray about everything. I ask Your help to make that happen. I ask this in Jesus' name, Amen!
~1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Prayer. It's such an awesome thing we get to do. We can praise God, ask for his blessing, talk to talk Him and confess our sins. And the best part is, we can do this anytime of day or night for as long as we want.
I say all of these things and feel blessed that I get to go before the Lord with my prayers and praise, but how often do I really do it? I know that God is waiting to hear my prayers but why do I sometimes not pray? As I am learning to walk closer to God, I need to be much better about praying. I need to just sit down (or kneel down...) and just praise him.
Sometimes, I need to focus solely on Him, not my little earthly things. Or, if I am having a problem, who better to talk to then God? If a friend or loved one has something going on in their lives, pray about it. If the sky is the bluest it's ever been, I need to stop right there to thank and praise God for it.
Dear Father, I know that I do not pray as often as I should. I get distracted by earthly pursuits such as TV, instead of just sitting down and praising you or just talking with you. As I go further and deeper in my Christian life, I need to pray about everything. I ask Your help to make that happen. I ask this in Jesus' name, Amen!
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