God’s love is so powerful that He gives us what we need instead of what we want despite the fact that we fight against Him.
God’s love. Perfect love. Therefore, I do not need to fear what God will give me.
Category: Christian Living
I Want More
LORD God (Yahweh Elohim),
I want more of You. More of who You are. More of what you offer. More of You.
Please remove the obstacles to my becoming more like You. Help me to identify the issues in my life and deal with them as You would have me. Show me Your path and give me the strength to stay on it and not stray from it. Send the people who will direct me to You every time I falter (and even when I don’t falter). Keep me safe as I deal with people who would seek to take me from Your path. Please help me to love them as You do.
Father LORD God (Abba Yahweh Elohim),
I want more of You.
Am I Enough?
I enjoy watching the movie “A Moms’ Night Out”. The story is about a few moms that go to the same church. They decide to have an outing with no husbands and no kids. It is a fun idea, but the night doesn’t go the way they planned.
The best scene is when Bones (the tattoo parlor guy) talks to the mommy blogger after the night out goes badly. She is complaining about how she isn’t “enough”. Bones gives some great advice. He tells her that she has impossible standards for herself. This isn’t what she expects. His words can give us all a light bulb moment.
We set impossible standards for ourselves and others. We have thoughts about how life is supposed to be, then we try to live that ideal. I have found many of these standards have no Biblical basis.
God gives us a standard. An impossible standard. Our standard is Jesus Christ. If we understand Romans 3, then we know we will fall short. However, since God gave us the right to become the sons of God (John 1:12), He gave us the ability to become like Christ.
So the next time you think you aren’t enough, ask God. He will remind you that He is enough and He gives freely (James 1:5). So you are enough. Because He is.
Praise His Name!
My Birthday Reminder
Last week my birthday reminded me that little things can be just as important as big things. (Sherlock Homes said, “To the great mind nothing is little.”) Let me share some stories.
While on vacation the week before, my friend sent me a picture that she and her family thought I should put a verse on. She knows how much I enjoy that and she wanted to encourage it. Then her daughter-in-law sent me a message about putting verses on pictures from their recent trip to Israel. Pictures from the Holy Land?! Oh yeah! I am honored to be asked.
While on vacation, my friends daughter found something that she thought I would enjoy. She was right. When I opened the gift I went right for this set of cards that I could color. I enjoy anything creative. I was so blessed that these friends (who know me well) would be thinking of me on their trip. I have already enjoyed creative time with my gift.
I have learned from experience how much those little positive things can bless me. Some of the stories I have shared happened years ago. Some are more recent. No matter when they happened, they bring a smile to my face again and again.
Father God, thank you for the reminders of how much You love me through the thoughts and actions of my friends. You have blessed so much. I praise Your Name.
God’s Word – Always
One of the few times that “always” truly applies is God’s Word. God’s Word always has what I need. My responsibility is to continue reading and studying the Bible.
Lord God, please open my eyes to what I need.
“Me First”
Usually, we think of “me first” as a selfish idea. Most of the time it is. However, when it comes to giving – we should lovingly say, “Let me give first”. When a conflict arises, love says, “Let me makes things right first.” When there is a need, Christ-likeness decides to go first to meet that need.
So the next time you have the chance – go first for the sake of Christ and others.
More of God’s Word
A friend of mine once said, “There are so many good verses and I haven’t mastered any of them.” That is why we are good friends. She sends me to God’s Word.
God’s Word
Perfect for all situations.
Perspective
Too often we view the Bible through the lens of our experience. Instead, we should view our experience through the lens of Scripture.
God’s view is perfect. Mine is flawed.
John 3:30 He must increase; I must disappear.
Who Are You Watching?
We all have people we look up to and respect. This may be a favorite teacher/college professor, a pastor, parents, a close friend, etc. However, when you look up to them – who are you really watching?
God has been teaching me that when I look at people I admire, I shouldn’t watch the person. I should look at Christ’s work in their lives. People will make mistakes. The best examples are people who seek Christ and allow Christ to shine through them.
How about the reverse? Who is watching you? And whom do they see? I pray that God increases in my life and I disappear – so people only see Christ and His work.
Pleading in Prayer 