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2/9/2024
Desires of the HeartFriday Matters- February 9, 2024
Everyday Desires I can get cranky when I don’t get my way. And sometimes I get afraid that if I ask God what His will for me is, it might not match up with mine. But God gives us freedom to make choices and as believers, seeking Him and His wisdom we can make good choices. We need to tell God, “I want Your will” and then trust Him to lead and guide us to what that is. He really does want what’s best for us and He cares about our heart’s desires. In Ephesians 4:15 Paul encourages us, “Grow up in every way and in all things into Him Who is the Head.” It should be our goal as believers to be one with God. When we are “born again,” we grow and mature spiritually in our minds, emotions and will. And then when this happens our desires become His desires. And being in sync with God gives a peaceful spirit not a cranky one…everyday. 2/2/2024
Holy Spirit in YouFriday Matters- February 2, 2024
Everyday Spirit of Love There will always be people in our lives who are difficult. And I also fall into the category of being a difficult person too. Oh, but for the kindness, the grace of God, how could we live without Him? We must realize that the Holy Spirit according to 1 Peter 1:22 is the One Who purifies our hearts so we can allow the sincere love of God to flow through us to others. Walking in the love of God is the ultimate goal of Christianity and should be the primary pursuit of our lives rather than trying to get even with others. Jesus came and pronounced that all other commandments are summed up by loving God and loving others. When I think of what I can do for myself or how I can get others to bless me I'm filled with ME! But when I think of other people and how I can bless THEM I find myself filled with the Holy Spirit who is the Spirit of love…everyday. 1/26/2024
Power of PrayerFriday Matters- January 26, 2023
Everyday Pray for Others Sometimes when I wake up, wait, who am I kidding, most times when I wake up, I think about myself and my problems. So, I found, rather than begin with self-pity I'll ask God, "Who do You want me to pray for? Who needs it?" And every time I ask a name comes across my forehead. Recently, a friend I see maybe twice a year opened up on Facebook about a health concern. It’s funny because her name spelled, J-a-n-e-l-l-e came across my forehead rather than the spelling of my sister-in-law, who has the same name but different spelling. I prayed for her health, hope and restoration. Then I moved on to the next person. I decided to send a message to Janelle to tell her I was praying for her, and her response was, “What a pick-me-up to hear from you. I know your prayer is making a difference. And you know what, her response picked me up too. There's nothing we can't face when we have God as our strength and the support of prayer. Trust that others are praying for you…everyday. 1/19/2024
Freedom in ChristFriday Matters- January 19, 2023
Everyday Set Free Yeah, I'm here to tell you that you can take a stand against the enemy. You have the right and opportunity to be set free from shame, and a legalistic mindset. Satan is a huge “stinker.” He tries to rob us of enjoying our lives so he accuses, condemns us and makes us feel insecure because he knows we can't enjoy life and have negative feelings about ourselves at the same time. But God gives us an opportunity to break free out of this “Mind-Trap-Jail.” Jesus said in John 8 that if you abide in His word and you're truly His disciples you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. Many of us have reached that point where we're just so tired of trying to be in control of everything and run the world so I'm asking, “Are you willing to surrender and ask God to help you? Pray, “Lord I'm tired and I want to have peace and joy in my life and so I give you my will to do Your will. Now go and walk out in the freedom God has for you… everyday. 1/12/2024
RepentanceFriday Matters- January 12, 2024
Everyday Prayer First I imagine when the future King David is dodging Saul, who’s hot on his trail to destroy him; he’s just like, “Really, can I just get a break here God?” God is on David’s side and no longer on Saul’s because Saul has walked away from God. David gets wind of Saul’s plans to kill him, his men and others in a town if David plans on going there. And I’m thinking as I read the story in 1 Samuel that David can certainly go to the town and then ask God for protection. BUT instead, David FIRST prays and asks God; “Will Saul destroy the town, and will the people hand me over to Saul?” The Lord simply replies; “He will, and they will,” so David goes back into hiding. I was really struck by this thinking how often I do the opposite. I decide on my plans and then ask God to bless me rather than asking for God’s direction first. Wisdom is going to God first because He always knows the best plan…everyday. 1/5/2024
RepentanceFriday Matters- January 5, 2024
Everyday Repent The earth experience is hard but it’s not our home. Knowing what we need to do and then doing it are two different things. I sometimes get these crazy anxious thoughts and then have a physical response by having an anxiety attack, but courage is to go forward despite it. I know I need to turn to God 100% to get to the other side. Turning toward God and from the direction you were going is what “repent” means. In God’s holiness He must punish sin but, in His love, He didn’t want to punish us. Christ proclaims our infinite worth and His eternal love for us aside from any human standard, even our own. We will live forever in a community of equals – saints and sinners, all, saved by grace. Remember Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.” Our temporary imperfection is a quality which actually connects us to others rather than a secret shame which sets us apart. I still get anxiety attacks, but I know where to turn for help because of Christ and the resources He gives me …everyday. 12/29/2023
Spiritual WarfareFriday Matters- December 29, 2023
Everyday “You Again” “If God has such great plans for me, why is it, they all seem to be falling apart?” Everyone seems against me. Some talk about a devil but is he even real? Does he have horns and carry a pitchfork? Yep, the devil is real. He’s not a Halloween costume and he has plans to destroy the ones God has. Face the fact that there’s an enemy who’ll never leave us alone, but we don’t have to let him bother us. “Oh, it’s you again,” I’ve said, rather than caving into the temptation to give up. Satan throws garbage lies at us because it's the way he is able to hurt God. When someone attacks your kids, you take action to protect them because you’re on their side. God is on our side too. We are created in His image. “Be bold,” I told my son, David. “You can be aware of the devil, but you don’t have to let him get to you.” We have redemption through Christ and nothing that’s happened to us is so destructive that God can’t redeem it…everyday. 12/22/2023
AttitudeFriday Matters- December 22, 2023
Everyday Crabby I’ve been so crabby lately that I feel like saying words I wouldn’t normally say just for the shock to hear the words roll out of my mouth but it is a conscious choice not to bite everyone's head off in my family cuz I'm so crabby. Disappointment is my problem right now. I want to be further along than I am. And then there’s these human being people that God created that I’m called to love but right now some of them are really disappointing me and we all know from Proverbs 13:12 that hope deferred makes the heart sick. But God reminded me of the verse I had memorized a year ago from Romans 10:11 which helped me to focus on who I should put my trust in; “The Scripture says, No man who believes in Him [who adheres to, relies on, and trusts in Him] will [ever] be put to shame or be disappointed.” Isn’t that good? God will NEVER disappoint you! So have a crabby day but don’t let it spiral you down because He’s here to lift you up…everyday. 12/15/2023
God LOVES YOUFriday Matters- December 15, 2023
Everyday Important What makes you feel important loved or even liked? How often do you check the “likes” on your Instagram or Facebook post? I know. Been there. Done that. But REALLY the place I feel the most love is when I know who I am and whose I am. I’m God’s girl. He loves all of you and He LONGS to have you rid yourself of the garbage and dirt that makes you feel ashamed or unloved. We’re so important and significant to God. He gets us, gives us gifts to have purpose and He never stops loving us. Jesus instructs that we’re to be willing to accept ourselves as least in importance. The least is a symbol of those who have the lowest places in society; the poor and the oppressed, the prostitutes, the tax collectors. But Jesus concern was that these should not be treated as inferior (Matthew 18:10). He was well aware of their feelings of shame, and because of their humility and His compassion they were of REALLY great value. Remember with God, you’re always popular…everyday. 12/8/2023
ParentingFriday Matters- December 8, 2023
Everyday No Greater Joy I remember one Christmas that each of our four sons shared how they knew God was real. Each boy revealed how they talked to God but what was so significant is they shared how they heard from Him too. Their testimonies revealed they had a personal relationship with God. They didn’t give Christian “cookie-cutter” responses. 3 John 1:4 says; “I’ve no greater joy than to hear my children follow the Truth.” Exactly. In 2010 our local newspaper interviewed our son, Marco about his mission trip to the Philippines and Marco said; “So, I’ve got a relationship with God and it’s great because when I was younger it was the religion stuff—go to church, memorize verses…but when I really started talking to God, He started talking to me, I got better. God is a person that you talk to. Not a person really, but God, and you can talk to Him and He’ll talk to you. And it’s not a one-way conversation” …everyday. |
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