Listen to this, Job; stop and consider God’s wonders.
Job 37:14 NIV
Good Morning! It’s a great day to try something new.
Have you ever been listening to someone and couldn’t wait to speak? Are you quick to argue when you feel attacked? Do you find yourself very busy with little time to deal with the every day problems of people? Well, you are not alone. I sometimes interrupt because I think of something and I’m afraid I will forget. God has been dealing with me on this. I’ve heard two different sources explain how we should place our hands palms up in our laps because it is difficult to be argumentative in this stance. We all know that the Bible tells us to be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger (James 1:19). However, while reading I realized there is more. Have you ever noticed how no matter what Jesus was doing, he always had time for people? I believe it is because He knew that the only truly important things in life are God and people. That really puts quite a few things into perspective.
Today, take time for people. Listen, ask questions and leave your worries to God. God bless you.
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26 NIV
Good morning or good evening, now. I started this post before 7 am. I was going to chat about flexibility today. As it turns out, my schedule had to adapt to the demands of the day. So I’m posting over 12 hours later.
Have you ever planned out your future only to get a major glitch? I’m an urban planner by profession and I plan out everything. I think my behavior makes some people a little crazy. If we go on a trip, I have events schedule from the beginning to the end. I can pack the activities in. Usually, my friends are amazed at what we can do. If I’m going to school, I have the journey planned down to when and how many hours a day I will study. At work I have lists of deadlines. I’m very focused on my goals whether at work, church, home and school.
Over the past few months I have had setbacks in my plans that placed me behind schedule on personal goals. I’ve also noticed that my age has slowed me down. This past weekend God dealt with me on this issue. He helped me to realize that faster isn’t necessarily better. Sometimes we need to learn life lessons along the way, and sometimes we need to take time for others. None of us are promised tomorrow. If you are busy, busy, busy, slow down and enjoy those around you. Help others. Give to others. Make the journey more meaningful.
As I noted at the beginning of this post, I had some delays today. However, I spent time with some of the people who needed my time and I grew along the way.
Today, I’m including a video forwarded to me by someone special in my life. Enjoy. I heard on the radio yesterday that WIllie Nelson has been unwell. Keep him and his family in your prayers. God bless you.
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. Isaiah 12:2
Good afternoon. I pray that you are enjoying your weekend. My week was super busy. This morning I have become aware of some friends who are very sick. Sometimes our world seems bleak and hopeless. We find ourselves searching for answers with our minds that we couldn’t possibly understand. That is when we need to trust the Lord instead of trying to make sense with our brains (Proverbs 3:5).
Always remember to count your blessings. There are so many things we take for granted every day. Look around you and make mental notes. There is always someone worse off than you. Just by being able to read this post, you doing better than a large portion of the world’s population who are unable to read and do not have access to electricity, computers, WiFi, Internet, and other technology that we take for granted.
If you are feeling hopeless, ask God to heal you. Then, thank him. He is such an amazing God. If you have any prayer requests, respond to this post. God bless you.
If you see your enemy hungry, go buy him lunch; if he’s thirsty, bring him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness, and God will look after you. Proverbs 25:12
Happy Tuesday! This morning Landon had a little accident that resulted in a boo boo. So, this is a photo of what happens when your grandmother feels sorry for you and doesn’t make you go to preschool.
I know you guys don’t have any enemies, but if you know someone who does, tell them to pray for their enemies. I have done that many times, and the results are remarkable. Proverbs 25:12 reminds us to feed them and give them water when they are hungry or thirsty. Your generosity will be remembered by God, who will look after you.
Proverbs 25:12 is our verse for the week. By now, if you are keeping up with learning the weekly verses, you should have eleven under your belt. This week makes twelve. While this doesn’t sound like that many, it’s a start. It’s always great to know what you are talking about or remember where information comes from.
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
James 1:2 KJV
Happy Saturday! I’m a little late posting today, because I’ve been enjoying resting. This afternoon I plan to take a walk outside and just rest and refresh my soul. If you have had a tough week, take a few moments, hours, or maybe a day to refresh. When we take care of ourselves, we are able to help others more.
Have you ever been tempted to do or say something that you knew was wrong? On more than one occasion, I have quickly responded before thinking. Later I wondered, why did I say that! I have looked to food for comfort, knowing that our comfort is always in our sweet Lord. I have been tempted to sleep in on Sundays, and have actually followed through too many times to count. I have become angry, held my tongue, and in the presence of a few friends or family spewed angry words.
In the Message Bible, James 1:2 says “Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.” It’s difficult to think of trials and temptations as a joy or gift. Yet, when we are tested, we grow spiritually, emotionally and physically. It may be difficult to understand at the moment, but opportunities for growth are a blessing. Have you ever prayed for patience and found yourself needing more? That’s an example of being forced to mature as a Christian. Every day is new, and there is always something to be thankful for, especially when it’s spiritual growth.
Today, walk in the love of Christ, and smile inside and out when you experience these moments of growth. God bless you.
who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s
Psalm 103:5 NIV
Happy Monday! Tell me something good. I had a wonderful weekend, but it spun by like a whirlwind. Over the weekend, I encountered several people with heavy hearts. In some of the cases, I knew what the problem was and in others I am still wondering.
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Sometimes Mondays brings added stress to our weekend troubles. After all, we come back after a weekend off with a long todo list. Isaiah 40:31 tells us that when we wait upon the Lord our strength will be renewed. God will never let you down (Deuteronomy 32:11). So renew your hope this Monday morning in the Lord and watch as he renews your strength (Isaiah 40:28-31).
I pray your day will be full of wonderful moments. God bless you.
With him is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding.
Job 12:13 KJV
Good Morning! It’s spread the love Friday! What will you do to make others feel special? I always love Friday because we can wear jeans to work. Today, I added a pair of snazzy boots to the outfit. It gives me a little giggle inside.
Have you ever needed someone you could talk to? I mean someone you know you can trust and say whatever is bothering you, and not worry about hurting their feelings? Have you ever had anyone you could talk to that did not judge you, or stab you in the back? Isn’t it great to know that our sweet Lord fills the position at any moment in time. Yet, sometimes we need to talk to a person who understands. Someone that we don’t have to wonder about loyalty, hurting feelings, or anything else.
Throughout my life I have had amazing counselors, leaders, mentors and coaches, and I have found that I do much better in every area of my life when I have them. It’s like having a personal cheerleader to help me through my day. Someone who cares about me and puts me first when they are speaking with me. They also give me a gentle push in the right direction to keep me accountable. The types of coaches I have had has varied from professional, to physical/emotional health to weight loss. It may not be for everyone, but it works for me.
This morning I hurried to prepare for work so that I would have an opportunity to speak to my Weight Watchers coach. She is amazing. I had a bad day yesterday, but was still able to stay within my rollover points. Her words to me after providing suggestions for the weekend were “you never really have a bad day, if you are doing your best.” Wow! I know it was a small thing to say, but I feel like there aren’t any temptations big enough to tempt me now.
God is our coach at all time, but I believe he understands when we need a little extra help. That’s why we have ministers, counselors and various kinds of coaches in our lives. My first stop in the help department is God. Then, I pray Matthew 9:38 that the Lord of the harvest “will send forth labourers into his harvest” to guide me.
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 KJV
Happy Tuesday! It’s a great time to try something new!
This morning my husband awoke me with a funny question. “Did the Pope like his sandwiches?” I started laughing because I knew what he was talking about. I often walk, talk and laugh in my sleep. It’s a good thing I don’t have any secrets! I’m not catholic, but last night I dreamed that the church didn’t have enough wafers for everyone taking communion, so I made the Pope jelly sandwiches. Turns out, in my dream at least, the Pope can not eat jelly. It’s too sweet. So, I then set about making peanut butter sandwiches for him. He kindly refused all my sandwiches. My husband said that I wasn’t upset about the refusal, because I was laughing. It’s so funny where our mind goes when we are asleep. I don’t think I’ve even thought about the Pope. Funny!
So, for today’s memory verse I chose Ecclesiastes 4:9-10. Yes, we are supposed to help our neighbors as much as possible and we chat about this regularly, but don’t forget about yourself. When you are tired and weary, take care of yourself. We can help more people when we take care of ourselves, than when we are tired and run down. Joel 2:25 says that if you have faith, God can restore you. So, while you are meditating on these verses, take a few moment and schedule in a little time every day for you. Restore yourself. Don’t reject this gift like the Pope did my sandwiches in my dream.
The verses today are posted with all the memory verses discussed in this blog in the ScriptureTyper app under the group Hisperfecttiming.
“For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,” says the LORD, “plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster to give you a future and a hope.”
JEREMIAH 29:11 AMP
Good morning. Tonight we will jump forward into 2018. Are you ready?
This time of the year I always make New Year’s resolutions. Have you ever done that? Whenever I speak of New Year’s resolutions, my friends usually cringe. I’ve heard all kinds of reasons not to do this. Yet, I still do. Why?
I treat the resolutions like goals for my life rather than promises. Yes, I am resolved in my efforts, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have periods of time where I make mistakes. Do I repeat resolutions? Usually, but that’s okay. I pray, write down my goals for the coming year, and pray again. The resolutions are always about areas in my life I would like to see improvement, because I am far from perfect. So, I make sure to include goals from all areas of my life (e.g. time with God, health, family, work, school, etc). After I make my list, I place it in the back of my planner. I usually forget what’s on the list, and seldom look back on it until I write the next year’s resolutions. Guess what? I’ve found that every year I’ve made great progress in all areas. Isn’t that great! It will work for you too!
Sometimes I only meet a portion of the goal, which means I need to work on this area a little more. It doesn’t mean failure. I usually set high goals. Why? I have always believed and taught my children that if your goals are high, you will make more progress than if your goals are just mediocre. Why not strive for more, and be surprised and pleased at the outcome? If your goals are too low, you have nowhere to go, if you don’t make the goal.
Whether you choose to write resolutions or not is entirely up to you. If you do, don’t stress and worry. Your subconscious mind will remember and God will help you.
As we go into the New Year, join me in setting the past behind us. Plan for the future, but enjoy living in the moment. Let’s count our blessings every day and forgive others as we forgive ourselves. Help others when we can, and develop a deeper relationship with God. Let’s leave behind worry, anxiety, sadness and fear. There is so much to enjoy in our world, and as I grow older I realize how short our time is on earth.
Happy 2018 and may God bless your life in ways you can’t begin to imagine!
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33
Good Morning! We have made it half way into the week on the week before Christmas!
This morning I’m reminded of the need to learn more Bible verses. Why? Often, we know the verses, but don’t know where they came from. In these cases we can’t specifically direct others on where to find the promises of God. Saying “read this” while handing someone the Bible can be a little overwhelming. Sometimes we become unsure if the verse is in the Bible because it is so familiar. It is also helpful to know the context of the verse. Then you can explain the setting. Another reason is it’s good to use God’s word when praying. Jesus is the best example of this. When he was tempted by Satan, he used God’s word. Why wouldn’t we follow his example? Finally, quoting scripture can be comforting to ourselves and others in times of trouble.
Today’s verse is found in Matthew 6:33. It is one of the teachings of Christ. What does it mean? Above all else strive after God’s kingdom and his way of doing right. When you do this, all things will be given to you. Broken down even further, I believe God doesn’t want us to be distracted by worldly things. Worldly things trap us financially and sometimes morally only for temporary happiness. I have learned that the unhappiness associated with too much debt is far greater than the temporary happiness of whatever I thought I had to have at a particular moment. I have also known people who sought after high wages, only to be trapped ethically, and forced to do things they didn’t believe in.
So, you might be thinking if you don’t think about a new car all the time, then God will provide it. The verse says “all things shall be added unto you”. I would say “yes” and “no”. Let’s start with the “no”. The things that will be added unto you are for basic needs, like food, clothing and shelter, and spiritual gifts, like wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord (wonder and awe). While this isn’t a new car, having these gifts may provide opportunities that lead to a new car. Then again, if you are striving for Godly things, a new car is probably not on your radar. You might say “but my car is in the shop and I don’t know how I’m going to get to work tomorrow.” God doesn’t want us to worry about tomorrow. In fact, Philippians 4:19 tells us that God will supply your needs. So, plan and work for tomorrow, but live in today. Focus on spiritual growth and being like God. This type of growth will prepare you for all your tomorrows.
All the Bible verses that we are learning can be found in the Scripture Typer App under the group Hisperfecttiming. Join me in learning scriptures and striving for spiritual gifts in our daily lives. God bless you.
interrupt because I think of something and I’m afraid I will forget. God has been dealing with me on this. I’ve heard two different sources explain how we should place our hands palms up in our laps because it is difficult to be argumentative in this stance. We all know that the Bible tells us to be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger (James 1:19). However, while reading I realized there is more. Have you ever noticed how no matter what Jesus was doing, he always had time for people? I believe it is because He knew that the only truly important things in life are God and people. That really puts quite a few things into perspective.
