Proverbs 2:11 says “Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.” God gives us the knowledge, wisdom, and understanding that we need. We just have to remember to fully trust in Him.
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Tag Archives: faith
Today I can..
I’m looking for addresses and found this little clipping in an old day planner. I’d give credit where due, but it says Author Unknown.
I woke up early today, excited over all I get to do before the clock strikes midnight. I have responsibilities to fulfill today. I am important. My job is to choose what kind of day I am going to have.
Today I can complain because the weather is rainy or… I can be thankful that the grass is getting watered for free.
Today I can feel sad that I don’t have more money or… I can be glad that my finances encourage me to plan my purchases wisely and guide me away from waste.
Today I can grumble about my health or… I can rejoice that I am alive.
Today I can lament over all that my parents didn’t give me when I was growing up or… I can feel grateful that they allowed me to be born.
Today I can cry because roses have thorns or… I can celebrate that thorns have roses.
Today I can mourn my lack of friends or… I can excitedly embark upon a quest to discover new relationships.
Today I can whine because I have to go to work or… I can shout for joy because I have a job to do.
Today I can murmur dejectedly because I have to do housework or… I can feel honored because the Lord has provided shelter for my mind, body and soul.
Today stretches ahead of me, waiting to be shaped. And here I am, the sculptor who gets to do the shaping. What today will be like is up to me now. I get to choose what kind of day I will have.
“Moore” Monday #3
Yes, I know it’s Thursday. Apparently time has passed me by this week, so I’m playing catch up. Bear with me. I’ll explain later, but want to get this done first.
THE PEACE OF GOD SHOULD NOT BE AN INFREQUENT
SURPRISE BUT THE ONGOING RULE OF OUR LIVES.
Father, since I have been justified through faith, I have peace with You through my Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:1).
How I praise You, my God, that in Christ and through faith in Him I may approach You with freedom and confidence! (Eph. 3:12). Help me to understand that the amount of faith I possess will greatly affect the freedom and confidence with which I approach You.
Father, You have written Your Word to those of us who believe in the name of the Son of God so that I may know I have eternal
life (1 John 5:13).
Help me to know and stop doubting.
That is from Beth Moores Praying God’s Word Day by Day.
God’s Positive Answers
For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has a positive answer for it.
We say-It’s impossible
God says-All things are possible (Luke 18:27)
We say-I’m too tired
God says-I will give you rest (Matthew 11:18-20)
We say-Nobody really loves me
God says-I love you (John 3:16)
We say-I can’t go on
God says-My grace is sufficient(2 Corinthians 12:9, Psalm 91:15)
We say-I can’t figure this out
God says-I will direct your steps(Proverbs 3:5-6)
We say-I can’t do it!
God says-You can do all things (Phillippians 4:13)
We say-I’m not able
God says-I am able (2Corinthians 9:8)
We say-It’s not worth it
God says-It will be worth it (Romans 8:28)
We say-I can’t forgive myself
God says-I forgive you (1 John 1:9, Romans 8:1)
We say-I can’t manage
God says-I will supply all your needs (Phillippians 4:19)
We say-I’m afraid
God says-I’ve not given you a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7)
We say-I’m always worried and frustrated
God says-Cast all your cares on me (1 Peter 5:7)
We say-I don’t have enough faith
God says-I’ve given everyone a measure of faith (Romans 12:3)
We say-I’m not smart enough
God says-I give you wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:30)
We say- I feel so alone
God says-I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)
I was dreaming?
I saw my hand and a rope. I was trying to hold onto the rope, but my hand was at the end. I could see the rope separating and starting to fray. I was slipping, and the rope was giving away. Then another hand envelops mine. A worn and calloused hand. A tanned and tattered hand. A nail scarred hand. It came from nowhere and covered my hand with a mighty strength, so powerful I could feel it. Feel the flesh on mine. And I knew it was going to be OK. When I can no longer hold on, He, Jesus, is here to help me. He will carry the load, and let me hang freely while He nourishes my soul with His peace and love. He will carry me until I regain the strength to hold on and fight for myself again. Because He loves me so much. Thank You Lord, for answering my prayers. Thank You for showing me this, and sending me this security. I will follow You. I will praise You in the storm, because You are worth it. Thank You for grabbing my hand, and teaching me.
“Moore” Monday #2
SELF-MADE FORTRESSES NOT ONLY KEEP LOVE FROM GOING OUT, THEY KEEP LOVE FROM COMING IN.
WE RISK BECOMING CAPTIVES THERE.
Faithful, loving Lord, according to Your Word, two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work; if one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! (Eccles. 4:9-10, 12) Help me to form healthy relationships and find support in those who encourage me to get back on my feet and walk with You when I fall. Between You, me when I’m willing, and a good friend to hold me accountable, a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
You warn us, “He who separates himself seeks his own desire; He quarrels against all sound wisdom” (Prov. 18:1, NASB). Help me to be very careful not to isolate myself.
Another daily devotion from Beth Moore’s Praying God’s Word Day by Day. I can relate to this one in particular because I have someone who tends to shut me out. I am an emotional person, so I take this personally, when sometimes it isn’t. That tends to make me shut that person out as well, just so my feelings don’t get hurt. I then become captive and isolated, thus separating myself from God and others around me.
GRACE
My pastor has a great definition for grace– God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense. Dictionary.com has 20 listed definitions for grace. A few of the first seven are, elegance or beauty of form, favor or good will, mercy, clemency, or pardon. Number eight begins with Theology, and contains the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God, the influence or spirit of God operating in humans to regenerate or strengthen them, a virtue of excellence or divine origin, or the state of grace is the condition of being in God’s favor, or one of the elect. I like the unmerited favor and love of God, because it reminds me that I do not deserve it, but He gives it because He loves me, even when I don’t deserve it. That’s unconditional love, and we don’t often see that in our lives.
That all leads up to a story about perfume. A few weeks ago when Brooke and I were shopping, we came across inner grace. I loved the name of it, so picked it up to try it. It smells beautiful as well. On the packaging it has philosophy, and I’m not sure if that is part of the name, but we found it in JCPenney, in the Sephora section. I keep meaning to check it out online, and haven’t yet. Anyway… the perfume box says” philosophy: to know peace is to know God. within the context of peace we can know joy, love, and happiness. in the absence of peace, we own nothing but the turmoil of our minds that jump from one thought to the next. to find peace you must shut off your mind and open your heart to the only thing that matters; the gift of the present moment, it is peace personified.” The body spray says “philosophy: top achieve inner grace you must practice acceptance. surrender to a power that is greater and more loving than your own. inner grace is eternal. inner grace is immortal. inner grace has no beginning and no end.” Finally, the lotion says “philosophy: God is love. God is peace. God is trust. God is joy. God is family. God is friendship. God is fearless. God is breath. God is life. God is wisdom. God is eternal. God speaks in whispers.” It gives me something to ponder every morning, and strive for each moment.
Sunday Scripture 5
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Since today is the beginning of Advent, I am choosing Isaiah 53:7 for my scripture. It reads as follows.
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep fevore her shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
Adam and Eve lived in a perfect world. It’s hard to imagine, isn’t it. Anyway, it was perfect until they chose to sample from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. In that instant, the perfect world became blemished with sin forever. Adam and Eve’s eyes were opened, and they were ashamed, so they covered themselves with fig leaves. God knew that they had sinned, and that they had to be covered in blood. This is where the first animal sacrifice came in. Adam and Eve were then covered with the skins from the animal, but God knew that there was a need for a permanent sacrifice. That sacrifice would be Jesus. Until that time, God commanded people to make animal sacrifices, or shedding of blood. So now you know why the old testament contains so many sacrifices of animals, and why Jesus is called the Lamb of God. The book of Leviticus is filled with rules for the different sacrifices which include the burnt offering, grain offering, fellowship offering, purification offering, and reparation offering. And Jesus is referred to as the Lamb several times in the Bible. Think and study on these things this season, and thank God for the sacrifice that was made to cover our sins.
“Moore” Monday
I believe Beth Moore can teach a lot about prayer. I’ve read her “Power of a Praying Wife, Mom, and Woman” books, and adapted some of the prayers into my everyday prayer life. So sorry, that would be Stormie O’Martian! The stress of Thanksgiving has me confused still! If you haven’t read any of Stormie’s books, I highly recommend them to anyone. Now, back to Beth Moore, whom I have read a few books, and done some of her bible studies, including Believing God. Please visit her website at Living Proof to see what she has to offer. I have 2 devotionals from her. Praying God’s Word Day by Day, A year of Devotional Prayer, is so powerful, and speaks to me so often in times of need. No matter what day it is, the daily devo is awesome. I know that I’ve shared some in the past, and I have another one today.
NONE OF US CONSISTENTLY GLORIFY GOD IN EVERYTHING WE SAY AND DO,
BUT WE CAN STILL EXPERIENCE GENUINE LIBERATION IN CHRIST
You, the Lord my God, are my sun and shield; You, Lord, bestow favor and honor; no good thing do You withhold from those whose walk is blameless (Ps. 84:11).
Lord, I can’t claim a blameless walk, but I ask You to please empower me to walk with You faithfully and to never cease pursuing it. Help me, Lord, to hold unswervingly to the hope I profess, for You who promised are faithful (Heb. 10:23).
If I do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if I spend myself in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then light will rise in the darkness, and my night will become like noonday (Isa. 58:9-10).
That just put me in my place. Empower me Lord, to do Your will, and profess Your name. To stand by You, as You faithfully stand for all of us. May my words honor and edify You, may my actions bring You glory. Thank You Lord, that You faithfully love me and guide me, even when I fall short. Thank You, for the gift of Your Son, and the salvation He brought. Thank You for your grace, that I can be saved by faith through Your grace. Thank You for carrying me when I succumb to the pressures, doubts and fears. I have been blessed!
Sunday Scripture 4
1 Corinthians 1;5 – 9
For in him you have been enriched in evry way-in all your speaking and in all your knowledge-because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.
Paul was writing to the church in Corinth, and basically calling on them to be holy, and put their spiritual gifts to good use. He called for them to change their attitude. I find that I need Paul to remind me of this as well. Sometimes it’s easy to get stuck in the mud, and spin your wheels, than to change your attitude and put your faith in God. I encourage you to write this down, or make it your memory verse for the week. Our God is faithful, and he saved us through his sacrifice of his only son.
For more Sunday Scripture, please visit Amy at www.sabennett.com/wp/.