Archive | May 2013

Let God be Your Security Blanket

May20

Hand it over. I know you have one, an adult version of a blankie. No? Take a look at what you reach for every time you need a sense of security. When things spin out of control, what comforts you? There are many security blankets that clutter our existence, even as rational adults: food, work, sex, TV, computer games, emails, material possessions, shopping for those possessions, lashing out at others, alcohol,  and so on.

Our temporal options feel good initially, but as is the nature of things of the world…..they become old, ineffective substitutions for God’s peace. When you need assurance, comfort, and an anchor to purpose, reach for the blanket of God’s grace and security.

 I talk to God about the hidden part of  my soul, the darkest corner of my fear, and the brightest spark of my hope. But now and then I’ll start with small talk, like we’ve just met. I’ll stammer a bit, discuss the weather, or what I’m going to do tomorrow. Then God gives me his peace. He reassures me that anything I say is important to him.

 And just like that, I move from shallow conversation to the deep waters of soulful prayer. I can barely contain myself, because I want him to know all of me, and I want to know all of him. God is with you, and he’s nodding, smiling, and waiting; not to be entertained by you but to be trusted and known.

 Dear Lord, I don’t wanna let go! This security blanket has seen me through trails in my work and my relationships. It was with me when I had an identity crisis. But I know it’s time to relinquish my hold….It will never be a substitute for assurance in and of you. God, I’m here with the good and the bad. I want to get personal and real and intimate with you. You picked the colors of my soul. You know me when I am scared to know myself. Thank you Father, for your love, grace, kindness, and mercy. I will trust in you.

 In Jesus name I pray

 Amen

 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trust in you.

Isaiah 26:3

Let God be in Control

May17
Who’s in charge of your life? It’s a great question. And If you desire to be a woman of God, it’s one you need to be asking. Who is in charge, and who is leading the way in you life.? God is. And because He’s in control, you can face each day with His power and love. If you get tossed around today and some hard knocks come your way, turn them over to God. If you’re struggling with a decision, bring it before God. If you’ve been hurt by others, admit your pain and trust God fully. And never seek revenge, no matter what. That impulse comes when we think others are in control. Psalm 147:5 declares, “Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite,” God is in control!
 
So, today light a candle. Draw the blinds. Turn off the television. Take a seat. Introduce yourself to silence. It can be uncomfortable at first. Even later on. But without it, your heart has no space to find God. The noises that create a constant soundtrack to your life need to be quieted once in awhile.
 
In the silence, your long-neglected worries, praises, hopes, and truths will rise up and be offered to the Lord.
 
Dear Lord, I trust that You are in control. I’m so grateful that I can give every situation, need, trouble, and hope to You. When I’m tempted to take charge, help me release my hold on things so that I can live in Your power and will. Lord, resting in your peace eases my soul. The endless questions and doubts stop midflight. My shoulders relax; they no longer have to bear all the burdens of my world. My heart calms; it no longer has to keep up with my unrealistic pace. Thank you Father for your grace and mercy. I praise you in every way.
 
In Jesus name I pray
 
Amen
 
Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will  come to you. Accept instruction from his mouth and lay up his words in you heart.
Job 22:21-22
 
The Lord give strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.
Psalm 29:11

Anything but Average

May16

There is a time for every woman when she can feel invisible. Have you had days when it seemed like nobody could see you? As if you blended right into the background? I think we all feel that way at some time or other. When you turn to God’s view of you, you’ll discover that you are anything but average or invisible. A woman who seeks God as her life travelling companion stands out in many ways. Here are a few examples of what I mean. 

A godly woman is beyond average because she keeps her word. She honors her vows. She exhibits great faith. She overcomes great obstacles. And she affects her family, her community, even the world. Now it’s your turn. Make a list of those qualities and godly traits you want in your life. Make it your prayer list. Be that woman after God’s own heart. 

When the path gets rocky, remain steady. When the hills become steep, start climbing. When bystanders question your direction, stay the course. When bumps feel like mountains, step higher. When you are thirsty and hungry, watch for sustenance. When you are lonely and doubting, ask for help. When your body aches, lean on the strength of the Spirit. When the road is cast in darkness, shed light on it. 

When you look behind you and don’t recognize the path and you look ahead and it, too, is foreign, keep walking. You’re almost there. 

Dear Lord, I’m excited about the ways You give my life value, light, and power. When I feel like I’m invisible, I will stand in the truth that You see and know me completely. I’m grateful for your unfailing, all knowing love. God, there are so many unknowns. But I pray the faith journey requires me to give my path over to you and know that you are God. The way of truth. The way of life. The way of love. And the way I should go. 

In Jesus name I pray 

Amen

Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your path; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

God is a Great Listener

May15

I’ve heard from many women that they would pray more often, but they aren’t sure what to say or they worry they are saying the wrong things. Don’t ever worry about what you will say to God. He’s heard it all. Have you ever had a young child try to communicate with you? You appreciate the effort, don’t you? If your heart is right, there is no such thing as a badly done prayer.

That young child I mentioned? You eagerly listen through the fidgeting and jabbering as they search for words in there limited vocabulary. You hang on every sound because you don’t want to miss a thing. And you receive great delight in their willingness and enthusiasm to express their hearts. Your heavenly Father hears your prayer with the same delight and with even greater grace and joy because He is perfect. Perfectly kind. Perfectly patient. He loves it when you and I come to Him with our prayers.

Father, I will speak from my heart to Your heart without worries. I’m so grateful that I can come to You with my questions, worries, praises, and hopes, and You listen with the attention of a loving Father.  Lord, help me to set aside time each day to meet with you alone. As I come before You, teach me to pray the way You want me to . Help me to learn more about You. Lord, You have said, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink” (John 7:37). I thirst for more of You because I am in a dry place without You. I come to You this day and drink deeply of Your spirit. I know You are everywhere, but I also know there are deeper manifestations of Your presence that I long to experience. Draw me close as I draw near to you, so I may dwell in Your presence like never before.

In Jesus name I pray

Amen

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

James 4:8

Words for Character

May10
Shifting blame seems to have replaced accepting responsibility. Isn’t it amazing how many excuses we can come up with when we give into temptation and blow it? And it’s equally amazing how blame rises to the top of excuse making methods. “It’s her fault.” “I couldn’t help it.” “Everybody’s doing it.” “Nobody’s perfect.” And of course the old standby, “I didn’t know it was wrong.”
 
If we’re not to place responsibility on someone else for our circumstance, then who does that leave to blame? James 1:14 says, “Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.” James is saying to us to be aware of your own sin. Now that’s not fun to hear, not at all, but it’s true. But it is wonderful to hear that you will experience God’s grace when you acknowledge the times you stumble and fall and go to Him for forgiveness.
 
My prayer for us is that we will aspire to become noble women. Virtuous women. Regardless of our background or how we were raised. This life is about living out our great purpose as godly women. And in the bible, God has preserved His portrait of what such a woman looks like through the Proverbs 31 woman. She models for us the traits that God so highly esteems and exalts. Take time to read through Proverbs 31 so you can admire, inspect, and study this woman’s attitude, behavior, and faith. Hers was a heart of excellence. I pray that you will desire to pursue her level of commitment to family, others, and God. As Proverbs 31:29 says of her, “Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all.” Let this be our legacy as a noble woman of God.
 
Dear Lord, give me the humility and the courage to accept responsibility for my own moments of temptation and sin. Show me the way to a vulnerable, honorable heart. I want to be pure before You through Your amazing grace. Lord, please shape my desires to be those of this special woman of virtue in Proverbs. In Your strength, I can adopt her qualities of excellence. I want to be a woman who lives out her days with faithfulness that brings You praise.
 
In Jesus name I pray
 
Amen
 
I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent.
1 Chronicles 29:17
 
Then you will understand what is right and just and fair – every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
Proverbs 2:9-10
 

Isaiah 40:30-31

May9

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
Isaiah 40: 30-31

Put the Lord First

May9
A woman shared her frustration: “I used to pray and read my bible regularly. But now? I just don’t have the interest I once did.” Can you relate? Life is busy and complicated. Where can you find the energy to add one more commitment? The truth is that God expects us to grow spiritually, for a reason you might not have considered. One of the best results of spiritual growth is energy, tremendous energy.
 
As you read the Bible, the power of the Word of God recharges every activity you do. It brings God’s perspective on your life and on your work. Everything you do receives that divine infusion of stamina, drive, purpose,  and enthusiasm. After all, you were created by God, and for God. Adding spiritual growth to your life means adding His life back into your day.
 
So wouldn’t it be nice to return to the passion and love you felt for God when you first believed? I believe that you can “go back” to the spark of excitement and commitment you felt then. You can return to the first, powerful love you had for God.
 
Take a look at your faith life today. What is missing now that was a part of the days when you hungered for God? Do you need to return to Church? To pick up your Bible and begin again to read God’s precious Word? To kneel in prayer and nurture you prayer life all over again? To ask forgiveness from someone or from God? And what sin or obstacle do you need to let go of? Sometimes the first step forward is actually a step backward. Hosea 6:1 says: “Come, let us return to the Lord…He will heal us…he will bind up our wounds”. Return to the joy or your first love.
 
Dear Heavenly Father, I am so grateful for the day I first knew Your love and experienced Your grace. Help me return to the way of devotion and obedience. Restore to me the joy of my salvation, dear Lord. Refresh my weary spirit. Forgive me for letting my spiritual growth take second, third, fourth place in my life. I want to be fueled by a thriving faith and empowered by Your strength and vitality. I praise and thank you Lord for your grace and mercy.
 
In Jesus name I pray
 
Amen
 
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. Isaiah 40: 30-31
 
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10

Live your Days for the Lord

May8
Have you opened the gift of today? It is right in front of you. You may have stepped over it on the way to building a career. You may have stepped around it while chasing a toddler. Or maybe you looked past it as you focused on future worries. My Sister, today is the future. How you manage today for God adds to the quality of the life and the future you’re building.
 
The gift of a whole, precious, and priceless day shouldn’t be wasted. Ask God, “Lord, how do you want me to live this day? What is it You want me to do with this one day that You’ve given me?” It puts everything in a different perspective, doesn’t it?
 
Dear Lord, I bow before You this day and declare that You are Lord over every area of my life. I surrender myself and my life to You and invite You to rule in every part of my mind, soul, body, and spirit. I love You with all my heart, with all my soul, and with all my mind. I commit to trusting You with my whole being. Enable me to deny myself in order to take up my cross daily and follow you (Luke 9:23). I want to be Your disciple just as You have said in Your Word. I want to lose my life in You so I can save it (Luke 9:24).
 
Lord my desire is to please You and hold nothing back. I surrender my relationships, my finances, my work, my recreation, my decisions, my time, my body, my mind, my soul, my desires, and my dreams. I put them all in Your hands to be used for Your glory. I declare this day that “I  have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). Rule me in every are of my life, Lord, and lead me into all that You have for me.
 
In Jesus name I pray
 
Amen
 
If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.
Roman 14:8
 
As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk I Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
Colossians 2:6-7