Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Tuesday, August 27 - Honor



God graces us with every moment in life. Where we take them is up to us.

The son honors his father, the slave stands in awe of his master. But if I am indeed father, where is the honor due to me? And if I am indeed master, where is the awe due to me? - Malachi 1:6a

Monday, August 26, 2013

Monday, August 26, 2013 - Simplicity


 

Life’s choices do not have to be complicated.  Simply order each with this one assessment:  Is the moment God driven or self-driven?  It’s your choice.

 

Love uprightness you who are rulers on earth, be properly disposed towards the Lord and seek him in simplicity of heart. – Wisdom, 1:1

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Wednesday, August 21, 2013 - Breath


A cleansing breath calms our spirit, cleanses our system, and refreshes our body. Let us breath in the essence of God, cleanse our thoughts and start anew. The day is calling and God has great plans for us.

After this, I shall pour out my Spirit on all humanity. Your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your old people shall dream dreams, and your young people see visions. - Joel 3:1

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Tuesday, August 20, 2013 - Eternal

Everything you do today counts toward your tomorrow.  Make this day an eternal memory.


He has saved us and called us to a holy life--not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, - 1 Timothy 1:9

Monday, August 19, 2013

Monday, August 20, 2013 - Grace



The talents you have are never given for your own benefit, but in order that you may shine God's light on another. Find that special ability; that joy and glory that God wishes to spread through you.  Allow your gifts to be worthy by living for Him and offering yourself up as a channel of His Grace.

From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the Name of the Lord is worthy of praise. - Psalm 112:3

Friday, August 16, 2013

Friday - August 16, 2013 - Discernment

The day is filled with many choices, some can be equally enticing, some are more enjoyable than others, many are necessary, and most occur during the same moment.  We have to choose.  Our challenge is to discern the one that will honor the moment, leave no necessary chore undone, and let us delight in our God. The true joy is, we all have this gift of discernment through the Holy Spirit. The more we exercise it, the stronger this gift becomes.


Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. - Psalm 32:9

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Thursday, August 15, 2013 - Triumph

I reached a new muscle in my workout today.  I knew it was there, but I've not connected with it for a while. I worked it well.  I'll be sore tomorrow (perhaps even today), but it is a welcomed sore, a triumphant one, a challenge met.

Our Spiritual lives effect us much the same way. We seek a connection in our day to day lives, in our worship, our sorrow, even our joy. We know it is there. God has promised it through His Holy Spirit. Yet we find it hard to pray, to find compassion toward others, to be patient and calm through the challenges life brings. Make God your daily habit. Reach for His Spirit deep inside you. You will find a welcomed change and will even feel a few challenges as you readjust priorities, but the change will be triumphant.



His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries. - Psalm 112:18

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Wednesday - August 14, 2013 - Wishing

 

There are so many moments spent wishing we had this or wishing for that; wishing for more time in our day or wishing the weekend would hurry and get here.  Our life is filled with endless anticipation and desire.  Wouldn’t it be nice to get lost in the moment with no concept of time or need?  Love is like that.  When we fall in love, we lose all regard to ourselves and are filled with nothing but the joy of having the one we love most in our presence.  Let God hold you today.  Feel Him circled around you and cling back.  In His embrace, you will find your true desire and find your wishes come true.


Let all that ye do be done in love. – 1 Corinthians 16:14

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Tuesday, August 13, 2013 - Tasks



My prayer for you today is that you will be filled with moments of joy. Let your worries find the hand of God and your pain and doubt melt away in His presence.  Through His love, may your soul find the freedom to dance.

In all his activities he gave thanks to the Holy One Most High; in words of glory he put all his heart into his songs out of love for his Creator. - Ecclesiastes 47:8

Monday, August 12, 2013

Monday - August 12, 2013 - Thoughts

I've heard it said that, whatever you wake up thinking, this is where your passion lies. This is different from waking early to go to the health club, or having the report from work churning in your head. These are needs that should be met, not the focus of your life. When we place our focus on our Lord we become like Him. We take on His love, mercy, hope, and faith. We show our neighbor compassion and find inspiration in other children of God. The projects before us become easier to navigate. We find joy and peace even in challenges. Let your last words each night be a prayer of thanksgiving to God. Ask Him to protect you through the night and hold you in His Grace. Each morning, begin each day with praise for His name and ask Him to come along in every moment. When we keep God within our thoughts we will find our passion and the path our Lord has laid before us will be filled with Grace.



My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Psalm 84:2


Friday, August 9, 2013

Friday, August 9, 2013 - Children

Is it possible to pray our children into heaven?  Scripture states that every man is responsible for his own actions. We all have the right to choose. We suffer the consequences for each of our wrong choices and reap the blessings from each right one. Yet, as a mother, it is hard to watch our child struggle as she choses her path. How do we know that it is wrong or right for her? We are all created in God's image, all with unique passions and personalities. We each are set on this earth for a purpose and which can only be pursued by the individual. The answer does lie in prayer. Living our own life in a daily walk with God, enriches us in Grace. And, likewise, when we walk in His Grace, this Grace is shared with others. Yes, we pray for our children's safety as they explore the paths laid before them. We pray for their peace and joy that they will live a full and blessed life. But the ultimate choice is theirs. And the beauty within that choice is that when they can walk in the Grace of the parent steeped in prayer, they will find the right path and live a life for God.


Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth.… Psalm 127:3-4

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Thursday - August 8, 2013 - Gift

There is a lot of grace in a gift; grace in the one gifting and the one receiving. Giving from the heart is a gift of sacrifice. Something had to be put aside in order to give; time, talent, treasure, inspiration, perseverance and dedication. Often times, we may receive a gift from another that we think too extravagant, or something we will never use. We may feel unworthy to receive it, or, think it not worthy for us. We put it aside, hide it for safe keeping, or even discard it and never bring it out to enjoy or reminisce over. Our Heavenly Father has given us the greatest gift. When we think of His gift to us, his very own son, Jesus, how do we respond? Do we honor God who has sacrificed, persevered and dedicated His life to us in His Omnipotent Inspiration? Do we hide Jesus away and bring Him out only when we feel the need? Jesus is the perfect give. We receive God's Grace each time we bring Him into the light and share with everyone around us. He is not to be hidden or discarded. He, Himself, has made us worthy to received. The next time you receive a gift, consider the one who gives it. The thought is the greatest gift of all. Show the grace to give full appreciation and acceptance. And, take the time in each gift to remember our Father who started this tradition of gifting.  He pays His Grace forward every single day and through the love of His Son we are given a chance to give our love to Him in return.


Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.- James 1:7

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Wednesday - August 7, 2013 - Interruptions

My day has once again begun with technical problems.  I just penned an entire prayer and it has vanished into thin air.  I could moan and pine over the hours lost and curse the technology that I have become so dependent upon. Yet, I have a choice. Technology may affect my physical day, but my spiritual needs rely solely on God. In every disappointment, every sorrow, ever glitch in your day, remember, God is your strength, your only need.  Rejoice that you are His and He will never leave your side.

I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be hindered. I have dealt with great things that I do not understand; things too wonderful for me, which I cannot know. - Job 42:2-3

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Tuesday, August 6, 2013 - harmony

When someone throws a temper, our first gut reaction is to throw one right back at them. There may even be times when it feels as if the reaction is rooted in our toes. Our urge is so strong to "up" the other and prove our superiority. Not a pretty scene from all standpoints.  As Christians, we have a choice. When we are steeped in the Spirit of Jesus, we can react calmly and logically in every situation. We can regain self-control and remember that each of us is equal in His eyes and each deserves the other's respect. Yes, it is hard to be yelled at and bullied, especially when your honor is at stake, but the purest honor is one of harmony and love, walking in the footsteps of Christ.

You are joined together with peace through the Spirit, so make every effort to continue together in this way. - Ephesians 4:3

Monday, August 5, 2013

Monday, August 5, 2013 - Beginnings

Each day is a new beginning; a cliché which never grows old. Yet, within each day are many moments wherein lies a new beginning as well: chances to mend bridges, or build new ones. Tempers may have flared just seconds earlier, your coffee may have spilled down your shirt as you were introduced to the new client, you may have hit send way too early on a draft email . . . Each and every moment has consequences, yes, but each is forgivable. Each can be renewed. Begin the new day with a prayer. Ask God to go along with you in each moment. Put on His Spirit of patience, self-control, mercy, forgiveness, and love. Seek God in each moment and the day will be a good one.


Draw close to God and He will draw close to you. - James 4:8a

Friday, August 2, 2013

Friday, August 2, 2013 - Perseverence

We want to quit. Life is too hard. Work is filled with conflicts. Our struggle with illness is intense. Children rebel. Parents need senior care. Everywhere we turn, our paths are blocked through paperwork, controlling natures, or complacent attitudes. When the grace does not flow through those in your path, ensure it flows through you. The saints and holy people who have gone on before us, learned to look past the obstacles. They recognized each of these, and more, as spiritual warfare. Take a moment to step back and remember to look at each moment in the eyes of Jesus. He took up the cross because He saw beyond it. Keep the end in sight, never give up, and know that we will finish in victory.

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world-- our faith. - 1 John 5:4